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| Pronunciation |
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 (fa
MOE ti deen, KAL see um KAR bun
ate, & mag NEE zhum hye DROKS ide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Pepcid® Complete
[OTC] |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antacid; Histamine H2 Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to famotidine, any other histamine
H2
antagonist, calcium, magnesium, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Calcium in the blood,
kidney stones, low phosphate in the blood, colostomy, ileostomy, blockage in the
intestines, severe constipation, kidney failure, or
appendicitis.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat heartburn due to acid
indigestion.
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| How does it work? |
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- Famotidine decreases stomach acid secretion.
- Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are antacids. They
neutralize the acid or make it less
damaging.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Do not take more than 2 tablets daily. Do not use for longer than 14
days.
- Do not swallow tablet whole. Chew completely before
swallowing.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- This medicine is taken on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Certain foods may be more likely to cause acid indigestion in some
patients. Avoid the ones that worsen your heartburn.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor), caffeine (for
example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake, and smoking to help decrease
heartburn.
- Do not use with other products for acid indigestion.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
- Dark, tarry-black stool.
- Severe constipation or diarrhea.
- Severe belly pain.
- If you need to use for more than 14 days in a
row.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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