This article describes famotidine oral forms’ dosages, strengths, and details on how to use them. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for famotidine.
Prescription famotidine oral tablet and liquid suspension (mixture) is a generic version of the brand-name drug Pepcid. Famotidine also comes as an injection into the vein and an over-the-counter oral tablet, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor. This article focuses on prescription famotidine oral forms.
If you want to know more about famotidine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Forms and strengths of famotidine
Prescription famotidine comes as follows:
Forms and strengths:
- Famotidine oral tablet:
- 20 milligrams (mg)
- 40 mg
- Famotidine oral liquid suspension (mixture):
- 40 mg per 5 milliliters (mg/mL)
Dosage of famotidine
This article describes the recommended dosages* for prescription famotidine oral forms.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of famotidine oral forms without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes famotidine, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.
Usual recommended dosages of famotidine in adults
The information below describes the dosages of famotidine oral forms that are commonly prescribed in adults. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Both famotidine oral tablet and liquid suspension (mixture) have the same dosages.
| Use | Acute (short-term) therapy dosage | Length of therapy |
| to treat a duodenal ulcer (sore)* | 40 milligrams (mg) once per day at bedtime or 20 mg twice a day | usually 4 weeks, but in rare cases, 6 to 8 weeks |
| to treat noncancerous stomach ulcer | 40 mg once per day at bedtime | up to 8 weeks |
| to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | 20 mg twice per day | up to 6 weeks |
| to treat esophagitis, including erosions and ulcers, with symptoms due to GERD | 20 mg twice per day or 40 mg twice per day | up to 12 weeks |
| to treat conditions that cause high stomach acid,† such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and tumors of the endocrine glands | 20 mg every 6 hours | as recommended by your doctor |
| to lower the risk of a duodenal ulcer | 20 mg once per day | 1 year or as recommended by your doctor |
* For maintenance (long-term) therapy for duodenal ulcers in adults, the dosage is 20 mg once per day at bedtime.
† The dosage for this condition varies based on certain factors. In certain people, a higher starting dose may be needed. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your needs. The max dose per day is 160 mg every 6 hours.
Pediatric dosages of famotidine
Famotidine is approved to treat peptic ulcers and GERD in certain children.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed in children. That said, always make sure your child takes the dosage their doctor prescribes for them. Your child’s doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your child’s needs.
The table below describes the recommended dosages of famotidine oral forms in children with peptic ulcers. Both famotidine oral tablet and liquid suspension have the same dosages.
| Age | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage | Length of therapy |
| 1 to 16 years | 0.5 mg per kilogram (kg)* of body weight once per day at bedtime or 0.25 mg/kg twice per day | 1 mg/kg once per day at bedtime or 0.5 mg/kg twice per day, up to a maximum of 40 mg/day | 8 weeks |
* One kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
The table below describes the recommended dosages of famotidine oral forms in children with GERD. Both famotidine oral tablet and liquid suspension have the same dosages.
| Age | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage | Length of therapy |
| less than 3 months of age | 0.5 mg/kg once per day | 1 mg/kg once per day up to a maximum dosage recommended by your child’s doctor | up to 8 weeks |
| 3 months to less than 1 year | 0.5 mg/kg twice per day | 1 mg/kg once per day at bedtime or 0.5 mg/kg twice per day, up to a maximum of 40 mg per day | up to 8 weeks |
| 1 to 16 years* | 0.5 mg/kg twice per day | 0.5 mg/kg twice per day, up to a maximum of 40 mg twice per day | 6 to 12 weeks |
* For this age group, GERD can occur with or without esophagitis and ulcers.
Dosage adjustments for famotidine
Your doctor will prescribe your dosage and length of treatment of famotidine based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- your kidney function
If you have moderate or severe kidney disease, your doctor may start you on a lower dosage. Or they may recommend that you wait longer between famotidine doses based on your response to the drug. Do not change your dose of famotidine without first talking with your doctor.
If your child is taking famotidine, their doctor may adjust their dosage if they have moderate or severe kidney disease.
Missed dose of famotidine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot a dose of famotidine. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of famotidine and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about famotidine oral forms and dosage.
