How long should you take famotidine for acid reflux?

To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 2 times per day, in the morning and at bedtime for up to 6 weeks.

Should famotidine be taken long term?

Famotidine (brand name: Pepcid AC, Zantac 360) should not be used for longer than 14 days if you are treating heartburn symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you need to use this product for longer than 14 days or you've had heartburn for longer than 3 months, as you may have a more serious problem.

How many days in a row can you take famotidine?

Do not take this medication for more than 14 days in a row without talking with your doctor.

How often can I take famotidine for acid reflux?

To treat erosive esophagitis (heartburn): Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 1 or 2 times per day, at the morning and at bedtime, or 40 mg once a day at bedtime for up to 12 weeks. Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose be determined by your doctor.

How long can you take Pepcid for acid reflux?

Use PEPCID^® as directed on the product label. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours. If you find that you need to use PEPCID^® for more than 14 days, stop use and consult a doctor.

Famotidine (Pepcid) Uses, Side Effects & Precautions

Is it OK to take famotidine every day?

Do not take more than two tablets, capsules, or chewable tablets of over-the-counter famotidine in 24 hours and do not take over-the-counter famotidine for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you that you should.

What happens if you just stop taking famotidine?

If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don't take it at all: Your acid reflux, heartburn, or ulcer symptoms may not get better or may get worse. If you miss doses or don't take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely.

Will famotidine get rid of acid reflux?

Descriptions. Famotidine is used to treat stomach ulcers (gastric and duodenal), erosive esophagitis (heartburn or acid indigestion), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

What happens if you take famotidine too often?

Famotidine can be toxic when not dosed correctly. Some symptoms of famotidine overdose are headache, dizziness, and constipation.

What is the safest antacid to take long term?

According to Dr. Ghouri, Prilosec OTC “is usually sufficient in controlling symptoms in a majority of [heartburn] cases” and has been the #1 Doctor Recommended frequent heartburn relief medicine for 14 years.

What are the most common side effects of famotidine?

What should you not take with famotidine?

Some affected products include atazanavir, dasatinib, certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), levoketoconazole, pazopanib, among others. Do not take this medication with other products that contain famotidine or other H2 blockers (cimetidine, nizatidine, ranitidine).

What should I monitor when taking famotidine?

Famotidine is substantially excreted by the kidney; thus, it may be useful for healthcare professionals to monitor renal function especially in elderly patients. A patient's complete blood count (CBC), gastric pH and occult blood in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding should be monitored.

Is it hard to get off famotidine?

Unfortunately for many patients, quitting PPIs is easier said than done. It's not something that can be done overnight, and patients feel the effects when they try to go cold turkey. Instead, we recommend slowly weaning yourself off your PPIs with the help of a reflux doctor.

How do I wean myself off famotidine?

To taper off after regular use, experts advise taking a PPI every other day, and an OTC antacid such as Tums or an H2 blocker such as famotidine (Pepcid AC and generic) or ranitidine (Zantac 150 and generic) on alternating days, until you can stop taking the PPI medication altogether.

What is considered long-term acid reflux?

Having acid reflux and heartburn now and then is totally normal. But, if you have acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week over a period of several weeks, constantly take heartburn medications and antacids yet your symptoms keep returning, you may have developed GERD.

Does famotidine have any long term side effects?

Examples of long-term side effects that can occur from taking famotidine include: muscle or joint pain. heart palpitations. mood problems, such as depression or anxiety.

Is 40mg of famotidine a day too much?

For most indications, and for OTC use, the maximum dose of famotidine is 40 mg per day, although it is also prescribed at 40 mg twice daily under the care of a physician. For some serious conditions, prescription famotidine may be dosed as high as 160 mg four times per day over a short period of time.

Does famotidine affect blood pressure?

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine.

Does famotidine heal stomach lining?

Our study with famotidine supports a beneficial effect of Hz-receptor antagonists in promoting healing of gastric erosions and hemorrhages. A dosage of 10 mg twice daily of famotidine appears to be the optimum dose for treating gastritis.

Why you shouldn't take famotidine?

Do not self-medicate with famotidine if you are over the age of 40 and this is the first time you have had heartburn or indigestion; have a family history of gastric cancer; have coughing spells; use NSAIDs anti-inflammatories (such as aspirin or ibuprofen); have difficulty or pain when swallowing; already take other ...

How long does it take to wean off famotidine?

Slowly taper off the PPI over 2-4 weeks (the higher the dose, the longer the taper). While the taper is being completed, use the following for bridge therapy to reduce the symptoms of rebound hyperacidity. Encourage regular aerobic exercise. Encourage a relaxation technique such as deep breathing.

How long can I take famotidine 20 mg?

To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Adults and children weighing 40 kilograms (kg) or more—20 milligrams (mg) 2 times per day, in the morning and at bedtime for up to 6 weeks. Children weighing less than 40 kg—Use and dose be determined by your doctor.

Is famotidine safer than omeprazole?

Famotidine has no major contradictions with other medications. Omeprazole, however, has many interactions with medications including HIV medications, clopidogrel, methotrexate, and certain antibiotics. Because of this, it may be safer for you to take famotidine if you are on many medications.

What does famotidine do to the liver?

Hepatotoxicity. Chronic therapy with famotidine has been associated with minor elevations in serum aminotransferase levels in 1% to 4% of patients, but similar rates were reported in placebo recipients. The ALT elevations are usually asymptomatic and transient, and may resolve without dose modification.