TabletWise.com
 

Famocid Tablet

Generic Name(s): Famotidine

Why it's used

Famocid Tablet is used for the short-term treatment of small intestinal ulcers (duodenal ulcer), active non- cancerous (benign) gastric ulcers and backflow of stomach acid to the food pipe (also called, gastroesophageal reflux disease). This medicine works by reducing the amount of acid production in the stomach. Famocid is also used to treat overproduction of gastric acid (Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas) and symptoms of inflammation of the food pipe, due to acid reflux. It is also used for the maintenance of stomach ulcers in patients which are at reduced dosage after healing of an active ulcer.
Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist
Famocid belongs to a class of medicines called Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist. Histamine2 receptor antagonists are a class of medications used in the treatment of indigestion, gastric ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. These medicines decrease the production of stomach acid.

How to use

Read the directions on the product label, patient guide, or medicine guide provided by the medicine company or your pharmacist before starting to use Famocid Tablet. If you have any questions related to this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine as recommended by your doctor.
Famocid Tablet is used with or without food. This medicine should be taken 15 to 60 minutes before eating foods or drinking drinks that may cause heartburn.
The typical dose of Famocid is 20-40 mg/day at bedtime for 4-8 weeks. The usual dose for children is 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day or 0.22-0.45 mg/lb/day. This medicine is typically used for a period of 4 to 8 weeks for active non- cancerous (benign) gastric ulcer, 6 weeks for backflow of stomach acid to the food pipe (gastroesophageal reflux disease), 6-12 weeks for mild symptoms of inflammation of the food pipe, due to acid reflux, and 6-12 weeks for more severe symptoms of inflammation of the food pipe. It takes 1 hour for this medicine to start to work.
This medicine should be used on an as-needed basis. You should continue to use this medicine as directed by the doctor even if you feel well.
Talk to your doctor if your condition persists. Tell your doctor if heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. If you have any kidney disease, in patients with abnormal functioning of the kidneys, the dose of Famocid may be reduced to half or the dosing interval may be prolonged to 36-48 hours as per patient's clinical response. You should consult with your doctor before stopping the use of Famocid.
If you are giving Famocid Tablet to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for children. Before giving this medicine to a child, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the product package. You can also read the dosage section of this page to know the correct dose for your child. Else, consult with your doctor and follow their recommendation.
If using the liquid form of this medicine, measure the dose using the provided measuring cup, spoon, or dropper. Before pouring the medicine into the measuring device, you should check the measurement markings carefully. Then, pour the dose amount into the device. After use, clean and store the measuring device in a safe place for your next use. You should not use a tablespoon or teaspoon as the dose measuring devices since it can result in an incorrect dose. If indicated on the product package, shake the medicine before use.
You should store Famocid Tablet not more than 25°C, away from moisture, and away from light. Store the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
Medicines may be prescribed for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Famocid Tablet for conditions for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Famocid Tablet to other people who might have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. Self-medication may harm them.

Get TabletWise Pro

Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.

How to take Famocid

Your dose and how often you take Famocid will depend on the following factors:
  • weight
  • patient's health
  • the health of the patient's liver

Famocid Dosage

Dosage for small intestinal ulcers (duodenal ulcer)

Adult
  • Recommended: 40 mg/day at bedtime upto 4-8 weeks (acute therapy) and 20 mg/day at bedtime (maintenance therapy)
  • Initial: 40 mg/day at bedtime for 4 weeks

Dosage for non-cancerous (benign) gastric ulcers

Adult
  • Recommended: 40 mg/day at bedtime for 4-8 weeks

Dosage for backflow of stomach acid to the food pipe (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Adult
  • Recommended: 20 mg twice a day for upto 6 weeks and 20-40 mg twice a day upto 12 weeks in case of erosions and ulcerations with inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)
Children (less than 3 months)
  • Initial: 0.5 mg/kg/day (0.22 mg/lb/day) for 8 weeks (for suspension)
Children (3 months to 1 year)
  • Initial: 0.5 mg/kg twice daily (0.22 mg/lb twice daily) for suspension
Children (1-16 years with or without inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis))
  • Recommended: 1.0 mg/kg/day (0.45 mg/lb/day) twice daily in divided doses
  • Maximum: 40 mg twice daily in divided doses

Dosage for overproduction of gastric acid (Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas)

Adult
  • Recommended: 20 mg every 6 hours
  • Maximum: 160 mg every 6 hours

Dosage for stomach ulcers

Children (1-16 years)
  • Recommended: 0.5 mg/kg/day (0.22 mg/lb/day) at bedtime
  • Maximum: 40 mg/day twice daily in divided doses

Dosage for mild to moderate inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis)

Adult
  • Recommended: 20 mg twice daily in mild esophagitis and 40 mg twice daily in mild to moderate esophagitis for 6 to 12 weeks

Dosage calculation for children

To calculate the dosage for children please use the weight based dose calculator to calculate the appropriate dosage as per the weight of your child.

Forms

Tablet
Strength: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
Tablet film coated
Strength: 20 mg, 40 mg
Tablet, orally disintegrating
Strength: 20 mg, 40 mg
Injection solution
Strength: 20 mg/50ml, 10 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml
Injection
Strength: 10 mg/ml
Powder for oral suspension
Strength: 40 mg/5ml
Parental solution
Strength: 10 mg

Missed Dose

A missed dose should be taken as early as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is almost there, then the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. Avoid taking double dosing.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Famocid?
Symptomatic and life-supportive treatment should be provided in overdosed patients. Clinical monitoring of patient and emptying of the stomach to remove the unabsorbed portion of the drug should also be performed.
If you think you have overdosed on Famocid Tablet, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Famocid

Before you use Famocid, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to H2-receptor antagonists, cimetidine, nizatidine, or ranitidine.
Before you use Famocid Tablet, tell your doctor of your medical history including allergic to Famocid, H2-receptor antagonists, cimetidine, nizatidine and ranitidine, kidney failure, taking itraconazole, ketoconazole, probenecid, antacids, sucralfate, and atazanavir, patients with the reduced or absent activity of lactase (galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency) and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose in the body, build up of phenylalanine in the body (phenylketonuria), or trouble swallowing. Using Famocid in patients with kidney failure may experience decreased clearance, increased or reduced heartbeat, drowsiness, tingling sensation, and central nervous system harmful effects such as convulsions. Patients with a history of allergic reactions may experience a cross-sensitivity reaction when using Famocid.
The use of this medicine may change liver enzymes (transaminases, gamma-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase). Proper monitoring of liver enzymes is recommended when Famocid is used for long-term at high doses.
The use of Famocid Tablet may change blood count. When Famocid is used for long-term at high doses, then appropriate monitoring of blood count is recommended.
Famocid Tablet should be used only when required in patients who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There are no sufficient clinical data available in pregnant women. Famocid Tablet should be used while breastfeeding only when required. Famocid may pass into breast milk which may cause harmful effects to the fetus. Consult with your doctor on the use of Famocid Tablet, if you are trying to conceive.
Famocid can make you feel sleepy. Be careful, especially while driving, while using heavy machinery, or when doing any activity that needs you to be completely alert. The consumption of alcohol with Famocid can worsen the sleepiness. Famocid may cause seizures in some people. Hence, you should discuss with your doctor before performing any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you or others.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Famocid to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only when required
Warning: There are no sufficient clinical data available in pregnant women. Famocid should be used during pregnancy only after considering the importance of the drug to the mother.

Breastfeeding

Only When Necessary
Warning: Famocid may pass into breast milk which may cause harmful effects to the fetus. A decision to discontinue Famocid or breastfeeding should be made after considering the importance of medicine to the mother.

Younger Adults Population

No Known Risk
Warning: There is no safety and efficacy data is available for the use of Famocid in children.

Older Adults Population

Precaution
Warning: Famocid is mainly excreted by the kidney. As elderly patients may have decreased functioning of the kidney, so care should be taken during dose selection for elderly patients. Also, monitoring of the functioning of the kidney should be considered.

Famocid Side-effects

The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Famocid Tablet. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
The following side-effects may commonly occur in children when using Famocid Tablet. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
  • agitation
Rarely, the use of Famocid Tablet may cause the following side-effects:
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Famocid Tablet:
  • heart disorders
    Symptoms: heart block (atrioventricular block), irregular heartbeat prolong heartbeat (QT prolongation)
    Use of Famocid should be discontinued and contact the doctor immediately if such symptoms occur.
  • nervous system disorders
    Symptoms: hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, agitation, depression, drowsiness convulsions
    If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of Famocid and contact the doctor immediately.
  • metabolism disorder
    Symptoms: eating disorder (anorexia)
    Use of Famocid should be discontinued and contact the doctor immediately if such symptoms occur.
  • immune system disorders such as allergic reaction
    Symptoms: rash, itching, hives, shortness of breath, wheezing, tightening of the airway muscles, swelling of the face, swelling of the hands, swelling of the feet, swelling of the mouth, swelling of the throat, swelling of the eyes life-threatening allergic reaction
    If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of Famocid and contact the doctor immediately.
  • blood disorders (Use of Famocid should be discontinued and contact the doctor immediately if such symptoms occur.)
    Symptoms: abnormally low levels of thrombocytes, decrease in the number of leukocytes, decrease in the number of granulocytes, deficiency of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets low count of neutrophils
  • respiratory disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: infection of the lung (interstitial pneumonia) difficulty in breathing (bronchospasm)
    Use of Famocid should be discontinued and contact the doctor immediately if such symptoms occur.
  • liver disorders
    Symptoms: inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), bile flow obstruction (cholestatic jaundice) liver enzyme abnormalities
    If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of Famocid and contact the doctor immediately.
  • skin disorders (possibly fatal)
    Symptoms: life-threatening skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome) life-threatening drug-induced skin reaction
    Use of Famocid should be discontinued and contact the doctor immediately if such symptoms occur.
Your doctor has prescribed this Famocid because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This is not a complete list of possible side-effects for Famocid.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Famocid by Severity and Frequency

Common Side-effects

Following are the common side-effects of this medicine:

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Side-effects in Children

Following are the side-effects of this medicine in young patients:
  • agitation

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
  • hives
  • itching
  • life-threatening allergic reaction
  • rash
  • shortness of breath
  • swelling of the eyes
  • swelling of the face
  • swelling of the feet
  • swelling of the hands
  • swelling of the lower layer of the skin
  • swelling of the mouth
  • swelling of the throat
  • tightening of the airway muscles
  • trouble breathing
  • wheezing
If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue the use of Famocid and contact the doctor immediately.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Gastric cancer (gastric neoplasm)

The use of Famocid in patients with gastric cancer does not respond to the treatment of gastric ulcers.

Long-term treatment with high dosage

Proper monitoring of blood count and liver function should be done while using Famocid for long-term at high dosage.

Patients with long-term ulcer disease

Such patients are at an increased risk when using Famocid. The sudden withdrawal of Famocid should be avoided in these patients. Famocid should not be used after symptomatic relief of ulcer disease.

Reduced or absent activity of lactase (galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency) and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose in the body

Patients with the reduced or absent activity of lactase (galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency) and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose in the body are at an increased risk when using Famocid. This medicine should not be used in such patients.

Abnormal functioning of the kidney

Patients with abnormal functioning of the kidney are at increased risk when using Famocid. Using Famocid in patients with kidney failure may experience decreased clearance, increased or reduced heartbeat, and central nervous system harmful effects such as convulsions, drowsiness, or tingling sensation. Take necessary precautions while using this medicine in such patients. Dose adjustment such as reducing the dose to half or prolonging the dosing interval is recommended in these patients.

Interactions with Famocid

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
Famocid Tablet interacts with antacids, which is used to treat heartburn and indigestion. When antacids are used with Famocid, it may decrease the absorption of Famocid which may lead to a reduced level of Famocid in the blood. Famocid should be taken 1-2 hours before using an antacid.
There may be an interaction of Famocid with probenecid, which is used to treat pain, redness, and tenderness in joints (gout). Probenecid reduces the excretion of Famocid from the kidney which may lead to an increased level of Famocid in the blood. Patients should not use both medicines together.
Famocid Tablet may interact with atazanavir, which is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and ketoconazole, or itraconazole, which are used to treat fungal infections. When Famocid is used with ketoconazole or itraconazole, it may decrease the absorption of ketoconazole or itraconazole. Ketoconazole should be taken at least 2 hours before taking Famocid.
Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with sucralfate, which is used to treat stomach ulcers (duodenal ulcers). The combined use of Famocid with sucralfate may lead to reduced absorption of Famocid in the body. Sucralfate should not be used within two hours after taking the Famocid dose.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Famocid Tablet. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Interactions of Famocid by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Famocid be not used?

Allergic to Famocid

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to Famocid and any of its components. Such patients may have an increased risk of cross-sensitivity reaction. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:
  • rash
  • itching or hives
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of the face
  • swelling of the feet
  • swelling of the throat
  • swelling of the eyes
  • life-threatening allergic reaction
  • tightening of the airway muscles
  • swelling of the hands
  • swelling of the mouth
  • swelling of the lower layer of the skin

Reduced activity or absence of lactase (galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency) and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose in the body

This medicine should not be used in patients with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose.

Use of probenecid, which is used to treat pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints (gout)

The use of Famocid with probenecid is not recommended. Probenecid reduces the kidney excretion of Famocid which may lead to an increased level of Famocid in the blood.

Patients with a history of allergic reaction to other H2-receptor antagonists

This medicine should not be used in patients with a history of allergic reaction to other H2-receptor antagonists. Such patients may have an increased risk of cross-sensitivity reaction. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:
  • rash
  • itching or hives
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of the face
  • swelling of the feet
  • swelling of the throat
  • swelling of the eyes
  • life-threatening allergic reaction
  • tightening of the airway muscles
  • swelling of the hands
  • swelling of the mouth
  • swelling of the lower layer of the skin

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Famocid is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Famocid Tablet .
Duodenal Ulcer
Stomach Cancer
Zollinger Ellison syndrome
Endocrine Diseases

Sign Up



Share

Share with friends, get 20% off
Invite your friends to TabletWise learning marketplace. For each purchase they make, you get 20% off (upto $10) on your next purchase.