Brand Name of Famotidine
The brand name of famotidine is Pepcid. 1
Medication Information
Famotidine (Pepcid) is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that is used for the treatment of various acid-related disorders. It works by decreasing the secretion of acid by inhibiting the histamine H2 receptors in the stomach.
Key Characteristics:
- Famotidine is highly selective for histamine H2 receptors
- It is approximately 20-50 times more potent than cimetidine and 8 times more potent than ranitidine at inhibiting gastric acid secretion 1
- Available in various formulations including cherry-banana-mint flavored oral suspension 2
- FDA-approved for use in patients 1-16 years of age 2
Clinical Applications
Famotidine is indicated for:
- Treatment of duodenal ulcer
- Treatment of gastric ulcer
- Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
- Prevention of peptic ulcers in users of low-dose aspirin 2
Advantages Over Other H2 Receptor Antagonists
Famotidine offers several advantages compared to other H2 receptor antagonists:
- Higher potency allowing for lower doses 3
- Fewer clinically significant drug interactions 4
- Does not bind to cytochrome P-450 system, unlike cimetidine 2
- No antiandrogenic effects that are occasionally reported with cimetidine 1
- Well-tolerated in patients with cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic dysfunction 4
Use with Antiplatelet Therapy
Famotidine may be particularly valuable in patients on antiplatelet therapy:
- Unlike proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers like famotidine do not interfere with the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel 2
- The FDA notes there is no evidence that H2 blockers or antacids interfere with the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel 2
- The FAMOUS trial demonstrated that famotidine 20 mg twice daily significantly reduced the incidence of peptic ulcers in patients taking low-dose aspirin compared to placebo 2
Dosing Considerations
Standard dosing for famotidine is:
- For adults: Typically 20 mg twice daily or 40 mg at bedtime
- For children: 1 mg/kg/day divided in 2 doses 2
Safety Profile
Famotidine has an excellent safety profile:
- Well-tolerated with minimal side effects 4
- Does not significantly affect hepatic metabolism of drugs 1
- Monitoring recommendations include periodic assessment of renal function, liver function, mental status, and complete blood count for patients on long-term therapy 3
Famotidine (Pepcid) represents an effective and well-tolerated option for acid suppression with advantages over other H2 receptor antagonists in terms of potency, drug interactions, and safety profile.