Famotidine (By mouth)

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Throw away any unused oral liquid that is more than 1 month old.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
• This medicine might contain phenylalanine (aspartame). This is only a concern if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (a problem with amino acids). If you have this condition, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Seizures.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Nausea or vomiting.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Introduction

Famotidine (fam-OH-ti-deen)

Treats ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much stomach acid. Also treats heartburn caused by acid indigestion.

Brand Name(s)

Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Heartburn Relief, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Acid Reducer, Quality Choice Acid Controller, Good Sense Acid Reducer, TopCare Acid Reducer, Rite Aid Acid Reducer, Rite Aid Famotidine Acid Reducer, Leader Acid Reducer, The Medicine Shoppe Acid Control, Famotidine

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
• The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it.
• If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt within 2 minutes. Swallow after the tablet has melted.
• Shake the oral liquid medicine for 5 to 10 seconds before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.