PEPCID - Famotidine

Pepcid Used For

Pepcid (Famotidine) is a histamine receptor antagonist that is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of ulcers in the stomach and intestines. The medication is also used to treat conditions when the stomach produces too much acid and the acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Directions for Pepcid

Following is the prescribed dose of Pepcid for treating various conditions: For duodenal ulcers, older adults, adults, and teenagers can be given 40 milligrams (mg) once a day at bedtime or 20 mg twice a day. For prevention of duodenal ulcers, older adults, adults and teenagers should be administered 20 mg once a day at bedtime. To treat gastric ulcers, 40 mg once a day at bedtime can be given to older adults, adults, and teenagers. For treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, 10 mg of Pepcid should be given when symptoms start with a repeat dose in 24 hours. More than 20 mg of Nolvadex D should not be taken within 24 hours. For prevention of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, adults and teenagers can be given 10 mg one hour before eating a meal with a repeat dose once in 24 hours. To treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, older adults, adults and children may be administered 20 mg every 6 hours with a dose change as recommended by your doctor. For all of the above conditions, dose for children should be determined by the doctor. For treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, the recommended dose for adults, older adults and teenagers is 20 mg twice a day, usually for up to 6 weeks. Children weighing more than 10 kg or 22 pounds can be given 1 to 2 mg per kg/0.5 to 0.9 mg per pound of body weight a day divided into two doses while those weighing less than 10 kg/22 pounds may be given 1 to 2 mg per kg/0.5 to 0.9 mg per pound of body weight a day, divided into three doses.

How Pepcid works

Antacids reduce the effectiveness of Pepcid and so should be avoided within 1 hour of taking the medication. The doctor should be informed if you have kidney or liver disease, trouble or pain swallowing food, vomiting with blood or bloody or black stools if you are being started on Pepcid as these conditions may need special dose considerations. Pepcid is known to pass into breast milk but it is not clear whether it will harm a nursing infant. Please do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Pepcid side effects

As with all other medications, Pepcid also has its own side effects which may or may not include any or all of the following: easy or unusual bruising or bleeding, bleeding gums, irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, rashes, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and/or constipation. It is advisable to seek immediate medical help if any of the above side effects get aggravated or cause undue discomfort.

Other Pepcid Information

Pepcid tablets may be split and taken at half the dosage, easy dose being taken with a full glass of water. If taking the chewable form, the tablets should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.