Famotidine

Famotidine is used for:

Treating and preventing ulcers. It is also used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), conditions that cause increased acid secretion, and esophagitis. It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Famotidine is an H₂ (histamine) blocker. It reduces stomach acid by blocking one of the chemicals (histamine) that stimulates the release of acid into the stomach.

Do NOT use Famotidine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Famotidine or other acid reducers (H₂ blockers)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Famotidine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Famotidine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have kidney or liver problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Famotidine . However, no specific interactions with Famotidine are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Famotidine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Famotidine :

Use Famotidine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Famotidine by mouth with or without food.
• Take Famotidine at least 2 hours before or after taking cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin), itraconazole, or ketoconazole.
• If you miss a dose of Famotidine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Famotidine .

Important safety information:

• Famotidine may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Famotidine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Notify your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell count, may be performed while you use Famotidine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Famotidine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Famotidine if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Famotidine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Famotidine .

Possible side effects of Famotidine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Store Famotidine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Famotidine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Famotidine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Famotidine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Famotidine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.