Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength

Generic Name: famotidine (Pronunciation: fam OH ti deen)

• What is famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What are the possible side effects of famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What is the most important information I should know about famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• How should I take famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What happens if I overdose (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What should I avoid while taking famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• What other drugs will affect famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?

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.

Famotidine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Famotidine 20 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with M F1

Famotidine 20 mg-PAR

round, yellow, imprinted with C 119

Famotidine 20 mg-TEV

round, beige, imprinted with 93, 896

Famotidine 40 mg-MYL

round, green, imprinted with M F2

Famotidine 40 mg-PAR

round, yellow, imprinted with C 120

Famotidine 40 mg-TEV

round, beige, imprinted with 93, 897

Pepcid 20 mg

shield, peach, imprinted with PEPCID, MSD 963

Pepcid 40 mg

shield, orange, orange, imprinted with PEPCID, MSD 964

What are the possible side effects of famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about famotidine (Heartburn Relief, Leader Acid Reducer, Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Before taking famotidine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, stomach cancer or other problems, or asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems.

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.

Famotidine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.