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Famotidine (Pepcid)

Category:

  • Gastrointestinal

Description:

  • Antiulcer agent (H2 antagonist)

Indications:

  • Short term and maintenance duodenal ulcer therapy

  • Short term benign gastric ulcer therapy

  • Pathological hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

  • Gastroesophageal disease (GERD) and esophagitis due to GERD

Drug Interactions:

  • Reduction of gastric acidity reduces absorption and introduces potential for therapeutic failure: ketoconazole, enoxacin, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime

  • Increased absorption, potential for hypoglycemia: glipizide, glyburide

  • Increased concentrations: nifedipine, nisoldipine

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; concentrated in breast milk (but less than cimetadine or ranitadine, but considered compatible with breast feeding)

  • Symptomatic response does not rule out gastric malignancy

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: anxiety, depression, dizziness, fever, headache, insomnia, paresthesia, seizures, somnolence

  • EENT: Orbital edema, taste change, tinnitis

  • HEME: Thrombocytopenia

  • RESP: Bronchospasm

  • Arthralgia, myalgia, rash

 

 

Dosage:

Available orally (suspension, tablet) and intravenously

  • Adult Dose:

    • Duodenal ulcer: 

      • 40mg orally every night at bedtime for 4-8 weeks, then 20mg thereafter if needed for maintenance.  

      • IV; 20mg every 12 hours if unable to tolerate PO

    • Gastric Ulcer: 

      • 40mg orally every night at bedtime

    • GERD: 

      • PO 20mg twice daily for up to 6 weeks; for esophagitis due to GERD, 20-40mg twice daily for up to 12 weeks

    • Hypersecretory conditions: 

      • PO 20mg every 6 hours; may give 160mg every 6 hours if needed.  

      • IV 20mg every 12 hours if unable to tolerate PO

    • Heartburn or acid indigestion: 

      • PO 10mg twice daily; to prevent heartburn, 10mg 1 hour before meals

    • Renal failure: 

      • PO 20mg at bedtime or increase dosing interval to 36-48 hours

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks. Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
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