With a prescription, famotidine is used to treat conditions where the stomach secretes too much acid, like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, ulcers (sores on the lining of the stomach or small intestine), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes heartburn and damage to the oesophagus (the tube that connects the mouth and stomach) (tumors in the pancreas or small intestine that cause increased production of stomach acid). Over-the-counter Famotidine is used to treat and prevent heartburn brought on by acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by consuming particular foods and beverages. Famotidine belongs to a group of drugs known as H2 blockers. It functions by reducing the production of stomach acid.

Tablets and liquid suspensions of famotidine are available by prescription for oral consumption. It is typically given twice to four times a day, or once daily at bedtime. Famotidine is available without a prescription in the forms of tablets, chewable tablets, and oral capsules. Typically, it is taken once or twice a day. It is taken 15 to 60 minutes before consuming foods or beverages that may cause heartburn in order to reduce symptoms. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any instructions on your prescription or package label that you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Famotidine should only be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts, or for longer periods of time or more frequently than your doctor has instructed.

Before each usage, shake the beverage thoroughly for 5 to 10 seconds to equally distribute the medication.

Together with a full glass of water, swallow the pills and capsules.

Before consuming the chewable tablets, give them a good chew. Chew the tablet and drink a full glass of water before swallowing.

Use no more than two over-the-counter famotidine tablets, capsules, or chewable tablets in a 24-hour period, and don’t take it for more than two weeks unless your doctor instructs you to. Call your doctor and stop taking famotidine over-the-counter if heartburn, acid indigestion, or sour stomach symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking famotidine,

• If you have an allergy to famotidine, cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid), ranitidine (Zantac), or any other drug, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Mention any additional heartburn medications if you have any. If a doctor hasn’t instructed you to, avoid using over-the-counter famotidine with any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs for heartburn.
• Inform your doctor if you have renal problems, trouble swallowing, or phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder that requires a particular diet to prevent brain damage that could result in severe intellectual incapacity.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking famotidine.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Take the missed dose of prescription famotidine as soon as you remember it if you forget to take it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Famotidine purchased over the counter is often taken as needed. Take the missed dose of over-the-counter famotidine as soon as you remember it if your doctor has prescribed it to you on a regular basis. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Famotidine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Fussiness (in babies who take famotidine)

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Although the following signs are not common, if you notice any of them, consult your doctor right away:

• Hives
• Body rash
• Itching
• Edoema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes
• Hoarseness
• Breathing or swallowing challenges

Further negative effects of famotidine are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Keep the liquid from freezing. After 30 days, discard any unused famotidine liquid.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.