Brand Name

Pepcid {McNeil Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co.}

Generic Name

famotidine, pronounced fam OH ti deen

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Pepcid?

Pepcid is a medication that will help to decrease the amount of acid produced in your stomach. Belonging to a group of medications called histamine-2 blockers, Pepcid is used to treat and prevent ulcers in your stomach and intestines. Patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is also known as GERD, may also be prescribed Pepcid. Pepcid may be used to treat a rare stomach condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is when patients produce large amounts of stomach acid. Pepcid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Pepcid

Pepcid should not be used for an immediate relief of your heartburn symptoms. Sometimes heartburn may be confused with initial symptoms of a heart attack. You should seek emergency medical assistance if you experience chest pain or a heavy feeling, nausea, sweating, pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, or a general feeling of being ill.

Pepcid is in FDA pregnancy category B. We do not know if Pepcid can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are being treated with Pepcid. We know that Pepcid passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not use Pepcid without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

You should avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) while you are being treated with Pepcid, unless your doctor has instructed you to do so.

Pepcid may impair your thinking or reaction time. You should be cautious when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert.

Alcohol consumption may increase your risk of damage to your stomach while you are taking Pepcid.

Before You Take Pepcid

You should not take Pepcid if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications like cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid) and ranitidine (Zantac).

Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome. This is a disorder of the heart’s electrical activity, as seen on an EKG. It can cause sudden, uncontrollable, dangerous arrhythmias. This can be brought on by stress or exercise.

Let your doctor know if you have stomach cancer, kidney disease or liver disease before starting treatment with Pepcid.

Before you start taking Pepcid tell your doctor if you asthma, a chronic lung disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing problems.

Pepcid Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• aspirin
• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• itraconazole (Sporanox)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis) and piroxicam (Feldene)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Pepcid. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Pepcid

Take Pepcid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Pepcid in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not break, chew or crush the Pepcid tablet, and take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Be aware that Pepcid may take up to 8 weeks to heal your ulcer. Do not stop taking Pepcid without talking to your doctor first. Tell your doctor if 6 weeks have passed and you do not have symptom relief from your treatment with Pepcid.

Pepcid should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Pepcid you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Pepcid Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Pepcid and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives, and swelling of your mouth, nose or throat
• bleeding or bruising easily
• confusion
• hallucinations
• heart rate that is uneven, either too fast or too slow
• seizures

Less serious side effects of Pepcid may include:

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

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Pepcid. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Pepcid Description and Dosing

Pepcid is available as tablets in 20mg or 40 mg strengths. The 20 mg tablets are beige colored, rounded square shaped, film-coated and coded MSD on one side and plain on the other. The 40 mg tablets are tan, rounded square shaped, film-coated and coded MSD on one side and plain on the other.

Dosages of Pepcid will vary based on each individual patient. Your doctor will tell you what dosage of Pepcid is right for you and your specific condition. You should follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Pepcid.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Pepcid you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Pepcid

Pepcid has the active ingredient famotidine. Inactive ingredients in the tablets include hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, corn starch, talc, titanium dioxide, and carnauba wax.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.