What is Pepcid (Famotidine)?

Data source: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/drugs-treatments/pepcid

Famotidine is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. Famotidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Famotidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Famotidine also treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

What are the possible side effects of Pepcid (Famotidine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using famotidine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• easy bruising or bleeding
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• confusion, hallucinations, seizure
• numbness or tingly feeling; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• dry mouth
• dizziness, weakness, mood changes
• headache; or
• muscle cramps, joint pain

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs affect Pepcid (Famotidine)?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), piroxicam (Feldene), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with famotidine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Pepcid (Famotidine)?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach.

Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) while you are taking famotidine, unless your doctor has told you to.

Famotidine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.