Proper Use
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage forms (suspension, tablets):
- To prevent an ulcer from coming back:
- Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To treat erosive esophagitis (heartburn):
- Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 1 or 2 times per day, at the morning and at bedtime, or 40 mg once a day at bedtime for up to 12 weeks.
- Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose be determined by your doctor.
- To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
- Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 2 times per day, in the morning and at bedtime for up to 6 weeks.
- Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose be determined by your doctor.
- To treat stomach ulcers:
- Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 2 times per day, at the morning and at bedtime, or 40 mg once a day at bedtime for up to 8 weeks.
- Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose be determined by your doctor.
- To treat too much stomach acid (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):
- Adults—20 milligrams (mg) every 6 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Throw away any unused oral liquid after 30 days.
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Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024
Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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FAQs
Over-the-counter famotidine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, and a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. To prevent symptoms, it is taken 15 to 60 minutes before eating foods or drinking drinks that may cause heartburn.
What is the proper way to take famotidine? ›
Famotidine can be taken with or without food. To prevent heartburn and acid indigestion, take famotidine 15-60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that can cause indigestion. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by your doctor.
What is the route of administration for famotidine? ›
Alternatively, patients are advised to take 20 mg of famotidine either orally and twice daily or via IV route every 12 hours. In cases where a patient cannot take oral medication, IV administration should only be used for short-term treatment.
What is the oral use of famotidine? ›
Descriptions. Famotidine is used to treat stomach ulcers (gastric and duodenal), erosive esophagitis (heartburn or acid indigestion), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus.
How do you take famotidine oral suspension? ›
Famotidine belongs to a class of drugs known as H2 blockers. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a day. If you are taking this medication once daily, it is usually taken right before bedtime. Shake the bottle well for 5 to10 seconds before each dose.
Do you chew or swallow famotidine? ›
to relieve symptoms, swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water. Do not chew.
What not to do when taking famotidine? ›
Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. These cause irritation in your stomach and can increase the time it will take for ulcers to heal. If you get black, tarry stools or vomit up what looks like coffee grounds, call your care team at once.
How long does it take oral famotidine to work? ›
Famotidine starts to block stomach acid within 15 minutes to 1 hour of taking the medicine. The maximum effect usually occurs within 1 to 3 hours, and lasts for 10 to 12 hours after a single dose. It will also work to prevent heartburn if taken 10 to 60 minutes before a meal.
What is the route of elimination for famotidine? ›
The total body and renal clearances of famotidine correlate significantly with creatinine clearance. Because its renal clearance (15 L/h) far exceeds the glomerular filtration rate, famotidine is considered to be eliminated not only via glomerular filtration but also via renal tubular secretion.
Can famotidine IV be given orally? ›
Famotidine belongs to a class of drugs known as H2 blockers. This form of famotidine is given by vein and is used to treat these conditions for a short time when you cannot take the medication by mouth. Your doctor should switch you to taking this medication by mouth when possible.
Famotidine (brand name: Pepcid AC, Zantac 360) should not be used for longer than 14 days if you are treating heartburn symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you need to use this product for longer than 14 days or you've had heartburn for longer than 3 months, as you may have a more serious problem.
What organ does famotidine affect? ›
Famotidine belongs to the group of medicines known as histamine H2-receptor antagonists or H2-blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
What is a serious side effect of famotidine? ›
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
How is famotidine administered? ›
Over-the-counter famotidine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, and a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. To prevent symptoms, it is taken 15 to 60 minutes before eating foods or drinking drinks that may cause heartburn.
Is it better to take famotidine in the morning or at night? ›
Famotidine (Pepcid) can help treat heartburn and acid reflux. The best time to take it depends on why you're taking it. If you're taking Pepcid to treat occasional heartburn, try taking it before a meal. You can also take it once in the morning and once at night if you have more regular heartburn.
Does famotidine for oral suspension need to be refrigerated? ›
Use: Famotidine oral liquid is used in the treatment of heartburn in patients who cannot swallow the tablets or cannot take the commercial product. Packaging: Package in tight, light-resistant containers. Labeling: Keep out of reach of children. Keep refrigerated.
When is the best time to take famotidine morning or night? ›
It is usually taken once daily at bedtime or two to four times a day. Over-the-counter famotidine comes as a tablet, a chewable tablet, and a capsule to take by mouth.
What is the most common side effect of famotidine? ›
Headache, constipation, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Why does it say to take famotidine at night? ›
Why take famotidine at night? Gastrointestinal reflux is most likely to occur during evening or nighttime hours. Because of this, famotidine may be most effective in controlling reflux when it is taken around the time of an evening meal.
How long does it take for famotidine to fully work? ›
Famotidine starts to block stomach acid within 15 minutes to 1 hour of taking the medicine. The maximum effect usually occurs within 1 to 3 hours, and lasts for 10 to 12 hours after a single dose. It will also work to prevent heartburn if taken 10 to 60 minutes before a meal.
