From the FDA Drug Label
The studies described in PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use suggest that the starting dose in pediatric patients 1 to 16 years of age is 0. 25 mg/kg intravenously (injected over a period of not less than two minutes or as a 15 minute infusion) q 12 h up to 40 mg/day. The recommended IV dose of Famotidine for a 16 kg child is 0.25 mg/kg administered intravenously every 12 hours, which would be 4 mg (0.25 mg/kg x 16 kg) every 12 hours, up to a maximum of 40 mg/day 1.
From the Research
For a 16 kg child, the recommended IV famotidine dose is 0.5 mg/kg/dose given every 12 hours, which calculates to 8 mg per dose. This dose is based on the study by 2, which demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous famotidine in children over the age of 1 year are similar to those in adults, and a starting pediatric dosage of 0.5 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours is recommended.
Key Considerations
- The medication should be diluted according to institutional guidelines and infused slowly over 15-30 minutes to avoid rapid administration side effects.
- Dose adjustments are necessary for patients with renal impairment.
- Famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist that reduces gastric acid secretion by blocking histamine action on the parietal cells in the stomach.
- It is commonly used in children for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and stress ulcer prophylaxis.
- Monitor the child for potential side effects including headache, dizziness, and constipation.
- The duration of therapy depends on the specific condition being treated, typically ranging from a few days for stress ulcer prophylaxis to several weeks for peptic ulcer treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- The study by 3 also supports the use of 0.5 mg/kg/dose of famotidine in children, as it found that the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of famotidine in children older than one year of age appear to be similar to those noted in adults.
- Although other studies such as 4, 5, and 6 provide information on the use of famotidine in children, the study by 2 is the most relevant and recent, and its findings are consistent with those of 3.