Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
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- Pepcid AC Maximum Strength (famotidine 20 mg). Best for: Stronger single-tablet heartburn relief. See options on Amazon
- Pepcid AC Original Strength (famotidine 10 mg). Best for: Milder or occasional heartburn. See options on Amazon
- Antacid chewables for fast backup. Best for: Mild, occasional heartburn. See options on Amazon
Original vs Maximum Strength
| Product | Famotidine per tablet | Directions (12 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| Pepcid AC Original Strength | 10 mg | 1 tablet with a glass of water; up to 2 tablets in 24 hours |
| Pepcid AC Maximum Strength | 20 mg | 1 tablet with a glass of water; up to 2 tablets in 24 hours |
Details are from each product's DailyMed label. Both list the same uses: to relieve heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach, and to prevent it when brought on by certain foods and beverages. Children under 12: ask a doctor.
How famotidine fits with other heartburn medicines
NIDDK describes three kinds of over-the-counter options. Antacids relieve mild heartburn; see our antacid chewables guide. H2 blockers such as famotidine lower the amount of acid your stomach makes and are available over the counter or by prescription. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) also lower stomach acid, and NIDDK says they are better at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers.
Famotidine is often chosen for occasional heartburn, especially when you can predict a trigger meal and take it ahead of time.
Timing: relieve or prevent
- To relieve symptoms: swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water. Do not chew.
- To prevent symptoms: swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water at any time from 15 to 60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that cause heartburn.
- Limit: do not use more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.
- Duration: stop and ask a doctor if you need it for more than 14 days.
Keep the carton, the label says, since it contains important information.
Warnings and who should ask first
Do not use famotidine if you are allergic to it or other acid reducers, with other acid reducers, or if you have trouble or pain swallowing food, vomiting with blood, or bloody or black stools, which the label says may be signs of a serious condition.
Ask a doctor before use if you have had heartburn over 3 months, heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating or dizziness, frequent chest pain, frequent wheezing with heartburn, unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, or kidney disease. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you take a prescription drug, since acid reducers may interact with certain prescription drugs.
Heart attack or heartburn?
The famotidine label lists chest pain or shoulder pain with shortness of breath, sweating, pain spreading to the arms, neck or shoulders, or lightheadedness as reasons to see a doctor before use. These can be signs of a heart problem rather than heartburn. Get emergency help for chest pain with these symptoms instead of treating it as indigestion.
Storage, ingredients and pregnancy
The Original Strength label says to store the tablets at 20 to 25 C (68 to 77 F) and protect them from moisture, and to read the directions and warnings before use. Inactive ingredients include carnauba wax, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, red iron oxide, talc and titanium dioxide, which is worth checking if you have sensitivities. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep the tablets out of reach of children, and in case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Habits that help
NIDDK says a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes for reflux, including losing weight if you are overweight, raising your head during sleep with extra support under your head and upper back, quitting smoking, and changing your eating habits and diet. It also says to talk with your doctor if symptoms will not go away with over-the-counter medicines.
For gas and bloating, see our simethicone gas relief guide, and for a licorice supplement some people try, our DGL licorice guide.
What to look for when you buy
Pepcid AC Maximum Strength (famotidine 20 mg)
Best for: Stronger single-tablet heartburn relief
Its label lists famotidine 20 mg, up to 2 tablets in 24 hours.
Watch out: Ask a doctor if you need it for more than 14 days.
See options on AmazonPepcid AC Original Strength (famotidine 10 mg)
Best for: Milder or occasional heartburn
Its label lists famotidine 10 mg for relief or prevention of heartburn.
Watch out: Do not use with other acid reducers.
See options on AmazonAntacid chewables for fast backup
Best for: Mild, occasional heartburn
NIDDK says antacids relieve mild heartburn and are available over the counter.
Watch out: Avoid daily antacid use without talking to your doctor.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Is famotidine 10 mg or 20 mg better?
- Both are OTC; 20 mg is Maximum Strength. Neither should exceed 2 tablets in 24 hours.
- When should I take famotidine?
- To prevent heartburn, 15 to 60 minutes before trigger foods or drinks; to relieve it, when symptoms start.
- How long can I take Pepcid AC?
- Ask a doctor if you need it for more than 14 days, per the label.
- Is famotidine a PPI?
- No. It is an H2 blocker; NIDDK says both lower the amount of acid your stomach makes.
- Can I take famotidine with antacids?
- The label says do not use it with other acid reducers; ask a pharmacist about combining with antacids.
- Should I chew famotidine tablets?
- No. The label says swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water and do not chew.
Sources
- Pepcid AC Original Strength (famotidine 10 mg) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Pepcid AC Maximum Strength (famotidine 20 mg) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Treatment for GER and GERD (niddk.nih.gov), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases