From the Guidelines
Famotidine is used to treat and prevent conditions caused by excess stomach acid, including heartburn, acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcers. It's also prescribed for conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome where the stomach produces too much acid. Famotidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach by blocking histamine H2 receptors on the cells that produce acid. The typical adult dose is 20-40 mg once or twice daily, with lower doses often recommended for those with kidney problems, as seen in the study 1. Over-the-counter famotidine (like Pepcid) is usually 10-20 mg per dose. Relief typically begins within an hour and lasts for 10-12 hours. Famotidine can be taken with or without food, though taking it 15-60 minutes before meals may provide better symptom prevention. Side effects are generally mild but may include headache, dizziness, constipation, or diarrhea. Unlike antacids that neutralize existing stomach acid, famotidine prevents acid production, providing longer-lasting relief for acid-related conditions. Some key points to consider when using famotidine include:
- The dose for children is 1 mg/kg/d, divided in 2 doses, as indicated in the study 1.
- Famotidine has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of peptic ulcer or esophagitis in patients taking low-dose ASA, as seen in the FAMOUS trial 1.
- The use of H2RAs, such as famotidine, can suppress gastric acid production and have a modest protective effect in patients taking aspirin, as noted in the study 1. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits and risks of using famotidine, especially in patients with certain medical conditions or taking other medications, such as clopidogrel, as discussed in the studies 1 and 1. In general, famotidine is a useful medication for managing acid-related disorders, but its use should be guided by the most recent and highest-quality evidence, such as the study 1, to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
From the FDA Drug Label
Famotidine tablets are indicated in adult and pediatric patients 40 kg and above for the treatment of: • active duodenal ulcer. • active gastric ulcer. • symptomatic non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). • erosive esophagitis due to GERD, diagnosed by biopsy. Famotidine tablets are indicated in adults for the: • treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger- Ellison Syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasias). • reduction of the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence.
Famotidine is used for the treatment of:
- Active duodenal ulcer
- Active gastric ulcer
- Symptomatic non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Erosive esophagitis due to GERD
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome)
- Reduction of the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence 2
From the Research
Uses of Famotidine
- Famotidine is used for the treatment of peptic ulcers and Zollinger Ellison syndrome 3
- It is also useful in reflux and erosive oesophagitis 3
- Famotidine has been evaluated in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and has been found to be effective in achieving adequate results 4
- It is used to prevent recurrence in most patients with healed reflux esophagitis 4
Specific Conditions Treated with Famotidine
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 3, 4
- Reflux esophagitis 3, 4, 5
- Peptic ulcers 3
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome 3, 6
- Erosive oesophagitis 3