How should I take Famotidine?

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Indication Recommended Dosage ( 2.1 ) Adult and Pediatric Patients 40 kg and greater Active DU 40 mg once daily; or 20 mg twice daily Active Gastric Ulcer 40 mg once daily GERD 20 mg twice daily Erosive Esophagitis 20 mg twice daily; or 40 mg twice daily Adults Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions 20 mg every 6 hours; adjust to patient needs; maximum 160 mg every 6 hours Risk Reduction of DU Recurrence 20 mg once daily • See full prescribing information for complete dosing information, including dosing in renal impairment, and recommended treatment duration. ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Administration ( 2.3 ): • Take once daily before bedtime or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime with or without food. 2.1 Recommended Dosage Table 1 shows the recommended dosage of famotidine 20 mg and 40 mg tablets in adult and pediatric patients weighing 40 kg and greater with normal renal function. The use of famotidine 20 mg and 40 mg tablets is not recommended in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg because the lowest available strength (20 mg) exceeds the recommended dose for these patients. Use another famotidine formulation for pediatric patients weighing less

What are the common side effects?

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions are: headache, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea., ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Annora Pharma Private Limited at 1-866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch., 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice., Famotidine was studied in 7 US and international placebo- and active-controlled trials in approximately 2500 patients [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]., A total of 1442 patients were treated with famotidine, including 302 treated with 40 mg twice daily, 456 treated with 20 mg twice daily, 461 treated with 40 mg once daily, and 396 treated with 20 mg once daily., The population was 17 to 91 years old, fairly well distributed between gender and race;.

Who should not take Famotidine?

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Famotidine tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to famotidine or other histamine-2 (H 2 ) receptor antagonists.; History of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to famotidine or other H 2 receptor antagonists.; ( 4 ).

Can I take Famotidine during pregnancy?

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data with H 2 -receptor antagonists, including famotidine, in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse development effects were observed with oral administration of famotidine at doses up to approximately 243 and 122 times, respectively, the recommended human dose of 80 mg per day for the treatment of erosive esophagitis (see Data). The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Reproductive studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at oral doses of up to 2000 and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, and in both species at intravenous doses of up to 200 mg/kg/day, and have revealed no significant evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to famotidine. While n

Can children take Famotidine?

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of famotidine have been established in pediatric patients for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (i.e., duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer) and GERD (i.e., symptomatic nonerosive GERD, erosive esophagitis as diagnosed by endoscopy). The use of famotidine and the recommended dosage of famotidine in these pediatric patients is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of famotidine in adults and published pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data in pediatric patients [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 , 12.3 )]. In pediatric patients, the safety and effectiveness for the treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions and reduction of risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence have not been established. Famotidine 20 and 40 mg tablets are not recommended for use in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg because these tablet strengths exceed the recommended dose for these patients [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )]. For pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg, consider another famotidine formulation (e.g., oral suspension, lower dose tablet).

Does Famotidine interact with other medicines?

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption: Systemic exposure of the concomitant drug may be significantly reduced leading to loss of efficacy.; See full prescribing information for a list of interacting drugs.; ( 7.1 ) • Tizanidine (CYP1A2) Substrate: Potential for substantial increases in blood concentrations of tizanidine resulting in hypotension, bradycardia or excessive drowsiness;; avoid concomitant use, if possible.; ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption Famotidine can reduce the absorption of other drugs, due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity, leading to loss of efficacy of the concomitant drug.; Concomitant administration of famotidine with dasatinib, delavirdine mesylate, cefditoren, and fosamprenavir is not recommended..

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Famotidine

Illustration of the usual dosage form, not a product photo.

Chemical structure · PubChem CID 5702160

H2 receptor blockerPrescription only (Schedule H)Jan Aushadhi listedAppears in banned-combination list entries

Famotidine

फामोटिडिन

Famotidine is an over-the-counter acid reducer tablet. The label describes it for relieving and preventing heartburn from acid indigestion and sour stomach. It should not be used if you are allergic to famotidine or other acid reducers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before use.

Generic name: Famotidine
Used for: Relieving and preventing heartburn from acid indigestion and sour stomach.
Label used: Tablets label, oral, DailyMed set 5b161f25, effective 2026-09
Prescription status (India): Prescription only (Schedule H) in the lists we checked
On NLEM 2022: Not found in the list we checked
NPPA price ceiling: Not listed in the lists we checked

More facts

Jan Aushadhi: Listed (2 product rows)
Banned combinations: 6 entries mention it; use the checker for your combination

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Compiled from official drug labels and Indian government sources. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.

Safety at a glance

AlcoholNot mentioned in label text
PregnancyCaution in label textSee wording
BreastfeedingCaution in label textSee wording
DrivingCaution in label textSee wording
KidneyCaution in label textSee wording
LiverNot mentioned in label text

Taken only from the label text cited on this page. "Not mentioned" does not mean safe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is famotidine used for?

The label describes famotidine to relieve heartburn linked to acid indigestion and sour stomach.

It is also described to prevent heartburn brought on by eating or drinking certain foods and drinks.

Relieves heartburn from acid indigestion and sour stomach
Prevents heartburn brought on by certain foods and drinks

Source1

How does famotidine work?

Famotidine blocks histamine-2 receptors in the stomach. This reduces both the amount and the acidity of stomach acid.

Source1 2

How is famotidine usually taken?

This page covers the US label for famotidine tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults and children 12 and over, the label describes swallowing one tablet with a glass of water to relieve symptoms. Do not chew it.

To prevent symptoms, take one tablet with water 10 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking things that cause heartburn. Do not use more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

For children under 12, the label says to ask a doctor.

One tablet with a glass of water to relieve
One tablet 10 to 60 minutes before trigger food or drink to prevent
Do not chew
No more than 2 tablets in 24 hours
Under 12: ask a doctor

Source1

What are the side effects of famotidine?

Common

The label we reviewed for this product does not list side effects. A fuller label for famotidine tablets lists headache, dizziness, constipation and diarrhoea as most common.
Headache
Dizziness
Constipation
Diarrhoea

Serious: get help

Not listed separately in the label text we used.

Get help now: signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing. Seek urgent care.

Source1 2

Who should be careful with famotidine?

The label says not to use famotidine if you are allergic to famotidine or other acid reducers.

The label we reviewed does not describe other warnings for this product, such as use in pregnancy, kidney disease or older adults. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use if allergic to famotidine or other acid reducers
Do not exceed 2 tablets in 24 hours
Under 12: ask a doctor

Source1 2

What medicines interact with famotidine?

Search interactions

Drugs that need stomach acid to be absorbed, such as dasatinib and fosamprenavir
Tizanidine
A fuller famotidine label says it can reduce absorption of drugs that need stomach acid, such as dasatinib, delavirdine, cefditoren and fosamprenavir, which are not recommended with it.
It may also raise tizanidine levels, so the label advises avoiding that combination if possible.

Source1 2

How should famotidine be stored?

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

The label also says to keep it away from moisture.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

Source1

Is famotidine a prescription medicine in India?

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, famotidine is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 194 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

We did not find famotidine on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 2 product rows that mention famotidine. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 6 entries that mention famotidine. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

Source3 4

What is the price ceiling for famotidine?

Jan Aushadhi lists famotidine products including Famotidine Tablets IP 20 mg 20 mg; Famotidine Tablets IP 40 mg 40 mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.

Source3

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink alcohol while taking famotidine?

The label we reviewed does not say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Source1

Is famotidine safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The label we reviewed for this product does not say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Source1

Should famotidine be taken with food?

The label says to take it with water, and to prevent heartburn take it 10 to 60 minutes before trigger food or drink.

Source1

Can famotidine affect driving or alertness?

The label we reviewed does not say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Source1

Can children or older adults take famotidine?

The label says children 12 and over may use it as directed, and children under 12 should ask a doctor.

Source1

Is famotidine on the NLEM and Jan Aushadhi list?

We did not find it on NLEM 2022. Yes, several famotidine products are in the Jan Aushadhi list we checked.

Source3 4

Sources

1U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (5b161f25-c578-4ff4-a931-ff3a1e681c50) Open source · 2026-10-15
2U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (669fbd46-cae5-4477-884e-8eca893d2e05) Open source · 2026-10-15
3PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p7:sno153) Open source · 2026-10-15
4Drugs Rules 1945, Schedules (2022 consolidation) (Schedule H, Schedule H, serial 194 (rules 65 and 97)) Open source · 2026-10-15

Compiled by software from the sources above and checked by automated rules. Last checked: 2026-10-15 · How we use sources · Report a correction

This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not tell you what dose you personally should take. In an emergency call 112.

Safety at a glance

What is famotidine used for?

How does famotidine work?

How is famotidine usually taken?

What are the side effects of famotidine?

Common

Serious: get help

Who should be careful with famotidine?

What medicines interact with famotidine?

How should famotidine be stored?

Is famotidine a prescription medicine in India?

What is the price ceiling for famotidine?

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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