Famotidine

Famotidine is an antacid. It reduces the amount of acid produced by your stomach. It is used to treat and prevent heartburn, indigestion and other symptoms caused by too much acid in the stomach. It is also used to treat and prevent stomach ulcers, reflux disease and some other rare conditions.

Famotidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist. It works by reducing the acid produced in the stomach. This helps to relieve acid-related indigestion and heartburn.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Acid Reflux): Used for treatment of acid reflux.
• Peptic Ulcer Disease: Used for treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
• Gastric Ulcer: Used for treatment of stomach ulcers.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Used for treatment of excessive acid secretion.

H2 antagonists

H2 Receptor Antagonist

Famotidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. Famotidine completely inhibits the action of histamine on H2-receptors of parietal cell. It inhibits basal, overnight and pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid secretion.

Famotidine competitively blocks histamine at H2-receptors thus reducing basal, nocturnal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. Pepsin secretion is reduced resulting in decreased peptic activity.

Adult Dose (Oral):

• Benign Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer: 40 mg daily at bedtime for 4-8 wk or 20 mg bid.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: 20 mg bid for 6-12 wk or up to 40 mg bid if esophageal ulceration.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Initially 20 mg 6 hrly, up to 800 mg/day if necessary.
• Non-ulcer Dyspepsia, Heartburn: 10-20 mg once or bid.

Child Dose (1-16 years): Peptic Ulcer: 0.5 mg/kg PO at bedtime; max 40 mg/day.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Famotidine is to be taken with food.

If you miss a dose of Famotidine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

Precautions:

• Famotidine does not usually affect your ability to drive.
• Take with or without food.
• If taking antacids, take them 2 hours before or after Famotidine.
• Avoid soft drinks, citrus fruits (orange, lemon) which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion.
• Inform doctor if no improvement after 2 weeks.
• Inform doctor if diagnosed with kidney disease (dose may need adjustment).
• Do not stop taking without talking to your doctor.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity.

Drug Interactions:

• Antacids: Slightly decrease bioavailability of famotidine.
• Ketoconazole, Itraconazole: May reduce serum concentration.

Food Interactions: It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Famotidine.

Use in Pregnancy: Famotidine is generally considered safe during pregnancy; animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects.

Use in Lactation: Famotidine is probably safe during breastfeeding; limited data suggests no significant risk to the baby.

Pediatric Use: Doses for 1-16 years provided above; suspension dosing available for infants under 1 year.

Geriatric Use: Use with caution in elderly patients.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; CrCl <50 mL/min: reduce dose by half or increase dosing interval to 36-48 hr.

Hepatic Impairment: Probably safe; dose adjustment may not be needed.

Overdose: Limited information on overdose; symptomatic treatment.

Storage: Keep below 30 degree C, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Famotidine