Famotidine

Antipeptic Ulcerant · H2 blocker

Indications

Duodenal and benign gastric ulcers. Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulceration. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Prevention and treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Dosage

Adults: Benign gastric and duodenal ulcer: 40 mg once daily at night for 4-8 wk. Prophylaxis of duodenal ulcer relapse: 20 mg once daily at night. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Initially 20 mg every 6 hr, adjust as necessary; max 800 mg daily. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: 20 mg twice daily for 6-12 wk; if also erosion or ulceration, 40 mg twice daily for 6-12 wk. Prophylaxis 20 mg twice daily. Heartburn, indigestion, sour stomach: 10-20 mg every 12 hr, the dosage may be taken 15-60 min before eating foods known to cause heartburn. Max 40 mg/day. Children: Peptic ulcer: 1-16 yr: 0.5 mg/kg/day at bedtime or in divided doses. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Less than 3 mth: 0.5 mg/kg once daily; 3-12 mth: 0.5 mg/kg twice daily; 1-16 yr: 1 mg/kg divided in two doses (max 40 mg twice daily).

Adverse Effects

Headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, dry mouth, nausea, rash, Gl upset, abdominal discomfort, anorexia, fatigue, rash, liver enzyme abnormalities, cholestatic jaundice, anaphylaxis, angioedema, arthralgia, muscle cramp. CNS disturbances. Rarely reversible gynaecomastia, toxic epidermal necrolysis. AV block.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Precautions: Impaired renal function, gastric carcinoma. Exclude malignancy before treatment. Monitor blood count and liver function during long-term use.

Interactions

Ketoconazole, itraconazole, antacids, sucralfate.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Shake oral suspension vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds before intake. If chewable tablet is taken, chew it thoroughly before swallowing. If antacid is to be taken, wait 30 to 60 minutes after taking famotidine. Contact prescriber if there is acute headache, unrelieved constipation or diarrhoea, palpitations, black tarry stools, abdominal pain, rash, worsening of condition, or recurrence of symptoms after therapy is completed. Avoid alcohol and smoking during therapy.

Pharmacokinetics

Onset of action: Oral: Within 1 hr. Peak effect: Oral: Within 1-3 hrs (dose-dependant). IV: Within 30 min. Duration: 10-12 hrs. Absorption: Oral: Incompletely absorbed. Metabolism: 30%-35%, minimal first-pass metabolism. Bioavailability: Oral: 40%-45%. Half-life elimination: Infants: 0-3 mth: 8.1 ± 3.5 hrs to 10.5 ± 5.4 hrs. >3-12 mth: 4.5 ± 1.1 hrs. Children <11 yr: 3.38 ± 2.6 hrs. 11-15 yrs: 2.3 ± 0.4 hrs. Adults: 2.5-3.5 hrs, prolonged in case of renal impairment. Oliguria: >20 hrs. Anuria: 24 hrs. Time to peak, serum: Oral: Approx. 1-3 hrs. Orally disintegrating tab: 2.5 hrs. Excretion: Urine.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.