Famotidine

Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh on April 6 , 2023
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved famotidine oral tablet in adults to:

• treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux
• treat ulcers in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine
• treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions caused by too much stomach acid
• reduce the risk of ulcers coming back in the upper part of the small intestine

In certain children, famotidine oral tablet is approved to:

• treat GERD
• treat ulcers in the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine

This article describes famotidine oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for famotidine.

Famotidine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of famotidine oral tablet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about famotidine oral tablet’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for famotidine oral tablet.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with famotidine oral tablet are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Famotidine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for famotidine” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of famotidine oral tablet are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Famotidine oral tablet’s serious side effects include:

• changes in blood cell levels, including low platelet levels
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• heart palpitations (feeling like your heart skips a beat or has an extra beat) and heart rhythm problems
• liver problems, including high liver enzymes
• changes in mental health, such as anxiety or depression
• ringing in the ears
• seizures
• severe allergic reaction*
• severe muscle pain or cramping
• sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for famotidine” section below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as famotidine for certain conditions. Approved uses for famotidine oral tablet are described below.

Use for certain gastrointestinal problems

Doctors may prescribe famotidine oral tablet for treating certain gastrointestinal (GI) problems.

In adults, famotidine is used to:

• treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux
• treat ulcers in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine
• treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions caused by having too much stomach acid
• reduce the risk of ulcers coming back in the upper part of the small intestine

In children weighing 40 kilograms (88 pounds) or more, famotidine is used to:

• treat GERD
• treat ulcers in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine

For GERD and ulcers, famotidine is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment. Otherwise, famotidine may be prescribed for long-term use.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about famotidine oral tablet.

How does famotidine compare with other similar drugs, such as omeprazole or ranitidine?

Famotidine is a histamine-2 (H2) blocker that reduces stomach acid. Other drugs in this group include cimetidine and nizatidine. Ranitidine is also an H2 blocker, but it’s no longer available for use.

Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs also work to reduce stomach acid, but these drugs work in a different way than H2 blockers like famotidine. Other PPIs include:

• esomeprazole (Nexium)
• lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• pantoprazole (Protonix)
• rabeprazole (Aciphex)

The dosages and side effects can vary among these drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know more about any of these drugs.

Is there a best time of day, possibly at night, to take famotidine? What should I do if I miss a dose?

Yes, if you take famotidine oral tablet once a day, the recommended time to take this medication is before bedtime. If you take the drug twice per day, it’s recommended to take a dose in the morning and a dose before bedtime.

Try to take famotidine at the same time(s) each day. You can take it with or without food. Always follow the directions your doctor provides.

If you miss a dose of famotidine oral tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double up on doses, as this could lead to serious side effects.

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you need help deciding whether or not to take a missed dose.

Does famotidine cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with famotidine oral tablet. In studies, no side effects were unique to people who had taken the drug for a long time. Also, the studies did not report any long lasting side effects after treatment ended.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with famotidine.

Is famotidine used for allergies?

Possibly. Famotidine oral tablet isn’t approved to treat allergies. But doctors may choose to prescribe the drug for this purpose. It’s called an off-label use when doctors prescribe a drug for conditions other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about using famotidine for allergies, talk with your doctor.

How does famotidine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Famotidine oral tablet blocks histamine-2 (H2) receptors in your stomach. These receptors are located on cells that release stomach acid. By blocking these receptors, famotidine stops the cells from releasing as much stomach acid. This effect helps relieve symptoms related to stomach acid.

Famotidine oral tablet will start working within an hour. It can take up to 3 hours to see the full effects of the drug. Its effects will last up to 12 hours.

To learn more about famotidine oral tablet and what you can expect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can famotidine tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

Possibly. Famotidine’s drugmaker doesn’t give any advice about crushing, splitting, or chewing the oral tablets. Ask your doctor about taking your prescription in any of these ways. Your doctor or pharmacist may also be able to help if you’re having trouble swallowing tablets.

The dosage of famotidine oral tablet your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking famotidine

You should swallow famotidine oral tablets whole.

Your doctor will talk with you about how and when to take famotidine oral tablet. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Famotidine oral tablet can be taken with or without food.

See the “Common questions about famotidine” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of famotidine

You should not take more famotidine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much famotidine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take famotidine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with famotidine. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for famotidine” section below.

Information about famotidine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Famotidine and pregnancy

It’s not known whether famotidine oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Famotidine and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether famotidine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Famotidine should be taken cautiously by certain people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Warnings

Famotidine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether famotidine oral tablet is a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take famotidine oral tablet. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• age, if you are 65 years or older
• kidney problems

Allergic reaction

Famotidine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to famotidine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe famotidine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to famotidine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for famotidine oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for famotidine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of famotidine in this article.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes famotidine oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about famotidine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Am I at higher risk of side effects from famotidine oral tablet for any reason?
• How does famotidine oral tablet compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
• Do any of my medications interact with famotidine oral tablet?

• Famotidine – famotidine tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e9102fd9-ca26-4a2c-9b1a-6e75a208fc11/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.