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| Pronunciation |
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 (fa
MOE ti
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Mylanta AR®(Discontinued by
Manufacturer); Pepcid®; Pepcid® AC [OTC]; Pepcid
RPD™ |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Famotidine® (Canada); Durater (Mexico);
Famoxal (Mexico); Farmotex® (Mexico); Novo-Famotidine (Canada);
Nu-Famotidine (Canada); Pepcidine® (Mexico); Sigafam
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Histamine H2 Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another H2
antagonists or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and
small intestine (active treatment and prevention), gastroesophageal reflux
disease, and hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
- Other uses include treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour
stomach.
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| How does it work? |
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- Famotidine decreases stomach acid secretion. This allows healing to
occur in the area of ulceration or damage caused by the
acid.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Take at bedtime if you are taking this medicine once a day.
- Chew the chewable tablet well.
- The disintegrating tablet(Pepcid RPD™)
dissolves in your mouth. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Water is not needed.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well
first.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Do not use Pepcid® AC for more than 14 days
unless healthcare provider recommends.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Avoid or limit smoking.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E if you have an ulcer. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- 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.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
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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, or throat.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature. Keep away from
moisture.
- Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature. Throw away after 30
days. Do not freeze.
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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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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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