Generic Pepcid, Famotidine

Famotidine is used in the treatment of acidity,intestinal ulcers, heartburn and stomach ulcers.

Famotidine is called a histamine H2-receptor antagonists.Famotidine works by stopping the cells in the lining of the stomach from producing too much acid, and this helps to prevent ulcers from forming, or assists the healing process where damage has already occurred. Famotidine works by decreasing the amount of acid, and this can also help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux disease, such as acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.

Patients who take Famotidine may suffer from such side effects;

Headache,
Muscle pain,
Fatigue,
Diarrhoea,
Drowsiness,
Constipation

Pepcid belongs to the group of histamine 2 blocker drugs. It works by reducing the amount of acid that is excreted in the stomach. This can be use alone or in combination with other drug to achieve maximum optimum health benefit. The generic name of pepcid is famotidine. It is distributed by Sun Pharma, Nicholas, and Alembic. Popular brand names other than Pepcid are Facid and Acicon.

The main component of this drug is famotidine. It is a histamine antagonist drug. The molecular weight of this is around 337.43. It is a compound that is pale yellow to white in color. This compound is water soluble and is insoluble to ethanol. Each drug or tablet contains 20 mg to 40 mg of the active ingredient famotidine. Inactive ingredients of this are corn starch, titanium dioxide, carnauba wax, iron oxide, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate.

This drug is specifically indicated for treatment of duodenal ulcer short treatment of gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypersecretory conditions. Some health care provider uses this drug for any disease condition not listed here.

For acute treatment of duodenal ulcer, the recommended dosing for adults is 40 mg of Pepcid to be given once a day during bedtime. It can also be given in divided dosing such as 20 mg of Pepcid two times a day. Pepcid 20 mg once a day is the recommended maintenance therapy given before going to sleep. In treating gastric ulcer the suggested dose is 40 mg of Pepcid before going to sleep. For patient with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease the ideal dosing would be Pepcid 20 mg two times a day for six week period. For patient with hypersecretory condition the ideal dose is Pepcid 20 mg to be given every six hours.

This drug therapy is contraindicated to patient with hypersensitivity to famotidine or any of its components. Patient with allergy to H2 receptor antagonist is also prohibited to use this drug.

Extra caution should be given to patient with disease condition such as renal insufficiency. It is of great importance to tell your health care provider or pharmacist if you are sensitive to famotidine, Zantac, and Tagamet. Inform also your doctor if you are taking any medications and vitamins as this will greatly affect the pharmacokinetics of the drug. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant while undergoing this drug therapy.

Commonly reported side effects of this medication are fever, feeling of tiredness, muscle pain, anorexia or loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, formation of acne, drying of the skin, ringing of the ear, hallucination, agitation, diarrhea or constipation, headache, and dizziness. Serious side effects that prompt medical attention are allergic like reaction that is severe in characteristics such as abundance of rash that is itchy in nature, chest tightness, swelling of the facial structure, seizure like activity, and irregular beating of the heart.

Store the medication in a clean and tight container. Keep the drug away from children. Famotidine liquid should be discarded 30 days after opening the container. Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Always read drug literature for proper usage and disposal of the medication.