1. Heartburn: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the GERD Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking famotidine, calcium, and magnesium (Dual Action Complete, Pepcid Complete)?

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.

You should not use this medication if you have:

• trouble swallowing;
• vomiting with blood;
• black, bloody, or tarry stools;
• if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if you have:

• nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
• unusual weight loss;
• wheezing or trouble breathing when you have heartburn; or
• if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to used famotidine, calcium, and magnesium, or you need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

It is not known whether famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use this medication to treat a child younger than 12 years of age.

How should I take famotidine, calcium, and magnesium (Dual Action Complete, Pepcid Complete)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

The usual dose of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is one tablet as needed, up to twice per day.

Do not use more than two tablets in 24 hours.

Stop using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if stomach pain continues or if you need to take this product for more than 14 days. You may have a more serious stomach condition that requires different treatment.

In addition to taking this medication, other tips for managing heartburn include:

• Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating.
• Do not eat late at night, or just before bedtime.
• Eat slowly and do not eat big meals.
• If you smoke, quit smoking.
• If you are overweight, lose weight.
• Raise the read of your bed.
• Wear loose fitting clothing around your stomach.

Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause heartburn, such as chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, some fruits and vegetables, and rich, spicy, fatty, or fried foods.

Store famotidine, calcium, and magnesium at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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