Famotidine
Famotidine
Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete
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Summary
Common uses
GERD0, Peptic ulcer disease0, Functional dyspepsia0, Stress ulcer prophylaxis (selected ICU patients)0
Pharmacy
Starting dose
20 mg PO twice daily, or 40 mg at bedtime
Preparations
10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg tablets; chewables; 40 mg/5 mL oral suspension; 10 mg/mL IV
US FDA Max
160 mg/d (Zollinger-Ellison); 80 mg/d for routine indications
Pharmacology
Routes
Oral, IV
Onset
1 hour PO; minutes IV
Duration
6-12 hours
Half-life
2.5-3.5 hours; longer in renal impairment[1]
Bioavailability
40-45% (oral; not significantly affected by food)[1]
Pregnancy
Generally considered safe; widely used. Cleared in lactation at low levels.[citation needed]
Legal status
OTC (10-20 mg) and Rx-only (higher doses) in US
Purported mechanism
Famotidine is a selective competitive antagonist of the histamine H2 receptor on the parietal-cell basolateral membrane, blocking histamine-driven activation of the H+/K+ ATPase and reducing both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion.0 Less potent and shorter-acting than PPIs but with faster on-effect; suitable for on-demand acid suppression. Largely renally cleared; dose-adjust in renal impairment to avoid CNS effects (confusion in elderly)[1].
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 FDA Prescribing Information, Pepcid (famotidine), Merck, current revision. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/019462s039lbl.pdf