10 mg film-coated tablets
famotidine
What Pepcid is and what it is used for
Pepcid is a histamine (H 2 -) receptor blocker and works by reducing the production of gastric juice. Gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid and is very acidic, is considered to contribute to the occurrence of, among other things, heartburn and acid reflux. One tablet of Pepcid can give you relief from these symptoms after about 30 minutes. Gastric juice production is controlled for up to 12 hours.
Pepcid provides relief from symptoms of temporary heartburn and acid regurgitation.
Heartburn and acid regurgitation can be caused by gastric juices penetrating the esophagus at bedtime or heavy lifting. Heartburn and acid regurgitation can also occur in stomach ulcers and in rare cases in more serious diseases of the stomach or esophagus.
An important measure that can provide relief in heartburn and acid reflux is to change the way of life so that it becomes more regular and stress-free. This can include: reducing smoking, avoiding coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, late evening meals, and heavy lifting. Some drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid and other anti-inflammatory drugs for joint and muscle problems can also be the cause of heartburn and other stomach acid-related problems. Raising the head end during the night can also relieve the discomfort. Another measure may be treated with over-the-counter medication. If these measures do not help, consult your doctor. This is especially important if you have persistent or recurring problems, difficulty swallowing, or if your doctor has told you that you have impaired kidney function.
Famotidine contained in Pepcid may also be approved for the treatment of other conditions not mentioned in this product information. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional if you have any further questions, and always follow their instructions.
What you need to know before taking Pepcid
Do not take Pepcid
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to famotidine, other H 2 -receptor blockers, or any of the other ingredients of Pepcid.
Warnings and cautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Pepcid if you:
- is over 50 years old and experiencing heartburn for the first time or if you, regardless of age, have accidentally lost weight
- have persistent stomach upset
- has impaired renal function
Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor if you:
- experiencing symptoms for the first time
- have difficulty swallowing
- have pain when swallowing
- have severe vomiting
- have black stools
- have a feeling of suffocation or chest pain
Children and young people
Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age as there are no data showing safety and efficacy for this group.
Other medicines and Pepcid
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Calcium carbonate, when used as a medicine for high fetal levels in the blood ( hyperphosphatemia ) in patients undergoing dialysis.
Ketoconazole and itraconazole (medicines for fungal infections) are taken orally and probenecid (medicines for gout ) and atazanavir and rilpivirine (medicines for HIV ), cyanocobalamin (medicines for vitamin B12 deficiency), and most tyrosine kinase inhibitors (medicines for
cancer) maybe affected by treatment with Pepcid.
Ketoconazole should be given 2 hours before taking Pepcid.
If you are taking antacids (medicines for acid reflux such as aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide ), you should wait until 1-2 hours after taking Pepcid.
If you are taking sucralfate (medicine for ulcers in the stomach and duodenum ), this preparation should be avoided 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking Pepcid.
Famotidine may reduce the uptake of ulipristal (an emergency contraceptive).
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pepcid is not recommended during pregnancy.
A breastfed baby may be affected. Therefore, do not use Pepcid during breastfeeding other than on a doctor’s prescription.
Driving and using machines
During treatment with Pepcid, side effects such as dizziness and headache may occur. You should therefore know how the treatment affects you before you perform something that requires sharpened attention, such as driving a car or performing precision work.
You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires sharpened vigilance. One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and/or side effects. Descriptions of these effects and side effects can be found in other sections. Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
How to take Pepcid
Always take Pepcid exactly as your doctor has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and should not be chewed.
Adults and children over 12 years of age: 1 tablet in case of need for symptom relief or 1 tablet 30 minutes before a meal in case of symptoms in connection with eating or drinking. If symptoms persist, you can take another tablet, but not more than 2 tablets a day. If you still have symptoms after taking Pepcid for 2 weeks in a row, you should consult a doctor, as your stomach problems may have another cause.
If you take more Pepcid than you should
If you have ingested too much medicine or if e.g. If a child has ingested the medicine by mistake, contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Pepcid can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common (affects more than 1 user in 100):
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Uncommon (affects less than 1 user in 100):
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth (careful oral hygiene is therefore important)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Taste effect
- Discomfort in the abdomen and pain
- Weather voltage
- Decreased appetite
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
Rare (affects less than 1 user in 1,000)
- Somnolence
- Discomfort in the upper abdomen
- Gynecomastia (male breast augmentation)
- Feeling sick
Very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):
- Impact on blood counts such as decreased white blood cell count or platelets
- Significantly reduced number of white blood cell types (agranulocytosis *) and reduced number of all types of blood cells
- Impact of liver values and jaundice
- Allergic reactions
- Tracheal spasm ( bronchospasm )
- Anaphylactic reaction
- Joint pain
- Muscle cramps
- Hair loss
- Seizures
- Abnormal fatigue
- Stinging sensation
- Pneumonia (sometimes severe)
- Pressure over the chest
- Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, restlessness, disorientation, confusion, and hallucinations
- Difficulty sleeping
- Skin and mucosal changes (sometimes severe)
- Severe skin damage (skin detachment, Steven-Johnson syndrome)
- Decreased sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction
* Agranulocytosis:
Pepcid can in rare cases affect the white blood cells so that the defense against infection deteriorates. If you get an infection with symptoms such as fever with severe general deterioration or fever with local infection symptoms such as sore throat/throat/mouth or urination problems, you should see a doctor as soon as possible so that a blood test can rule out a lack of white blood cells ( agranulocytosis ). It is important that you then have information about your medication.
How to store Pepcid
Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. day. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
The medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
Content declaration
- The active substance is 10 mg famotidine per tablet.
- The other ingredients are starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, talc, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (dye E 171), and red iron oxide (dye E 172).
What the medicine looks like and the contents of the pack
Pepcid is a film-coated tablet (pink, rounded square, labeled FA10).
Pepcid is supplied in packs of 6, 12, or 24 tablets in blister packs.