Famotidine: What is it and what is it for?

What is famotidine?

Famotidineis a synthetic drug, belonging to the so-called H receptor antagonists₂of histamine,with effect on decreasing the production of gastric acid in the stomach. (1)

What is famotidine for?

• Famotidine is used to treat some digestive conditions ordiseases, caused by excessive production of gastric acid.
• It is used to treat:
  • Prevention of refluxesophagitis. (2)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux.
  • Activebenign gastric ulcer.
  • Zollinger Ellison syndrome.
  • Duodenal ulcer.

Famotidine dosage and routes of administration

Famotidine comes as 20 mg and 40 mg coated tablets; suspension 40 mg/5 ml and solution for injection 20 mg/2 mL. Its administration is orally, in the case of tablets and suspension and the injection is intravenous or intramuscular. The dose described below is informative and refers to the use of tablets:

• Duodenal ulcer: 1 40 mg tablet at night or two 20 mg tablets twice a day.
• Benign gastric ulcer: 1 tablet of 40 mg at night.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease: 2 tablets of 20 mg every 12 hours.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: It should be started with a dose of one 20 mg tablet every 6 hours under medical supervision.

What products contain famotidine?

Some of the medicines that contain famotidine are:

• Fagastril®
• Guestin®
• Nulcerin®
• Ulcetrax®

Fagastril®

• Fagastril® is a synthetic drug that contains famotidine as an active ingredient.
• It is indicated to treat pathologies derived from the excess production of stomach acid and its symptoms.

Guestin®

• THE gastenin®is a drug formulated based on famotidinein to 10 mg presentation.
• It is indicated for the symptomatic relief of mild and occasional stomach discomfort, related to stomach hyperacidity.

Nulcerin®

• Nulcerin® has famotidine as its active ingredient, in the form of 40 mg tablets.
• It is indicated to treat gastric disorders related to the overproduction of stomach acid that causes ulcers, stomach reflux, among others.

Ulcetrax®

• Ulcetrax® is a medication that comes in tablet form, with 20 and 40 mg famotidine.
• It is used in the treatment of stomach disorderscaused by acids.

Famotidine Side Effects

Famotidine treatment may cause some of the following side effects in certain patients: in certain patients:

• Possible allergic reactions due to contact with any component of the formula.
• Headache.
• Diarrhea .
• constipation _
• Vertigo.
• Drowsiness.
• General fatigue.
• Possible involvement of the central nervous system such as depression or agitation.

Important: If any of these adverse reactions or any other not included in the list appear, it is recommended to stop treatment and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Contraindications and warnings of famotidine

Famotidine is a drug that is contraindicated in the following cases:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the formula’s components.
• In children under 2 years of age.
• In patients with kidney or liver disease.
• In the stage of embarrassment or lactation .
• In immunocompromised patients.

You should know: Before starting treatment with famotidine, provide your doctor with all the Informationabout your health history.

Avoid it if you have:

• Than drive or operate heavy machinery.

Warnings:

• This drug should be administered with caution in pregnancy and lactation.
• Famotidine may require dose adjustment in patients with severe renal and/or hepatic insufficiency.
• There may be certain interactions with other medicines, so you should inform your doctor.
• Store this medication in a cool, dry place.
• Keep out of children reach.