Get Informed: Pepcid
Active Ingredient(s)
Famotidine
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of GERD and gastric or duodenal ulcers. It works by reducing stomach acid production.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 11:09 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Pepcid
- Pepcid AC
- Pepcid Complete
- Famotidine
- Galpharm
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 02 Feb 1987
- Est US Patients*
- 1,529,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Pepcid or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Pepcid
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Pepcid during the past year.
Pepcid Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Pepcid interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Pepcid used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 10,100 patients that use Pepcid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn/GERD | 92% | 
|
| Stomach Ulcers | 14% | 
|
| Gastric Protection | 4% | 
|
How well does Pepcid work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 10,100 users taking Pepcid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 91%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Pepcid outweigh the bad things.
- 6%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Pepcid.
Common Side Effects of Pepcid
iGuard regularly polls our more than 10,100 users taking Pepcid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
3% of patients experience side-effects on Pepcid
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Pepcid
Most Common Side Effects...
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps
Global Patient Feedback for Pepcid (Famotidine) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I found the prescription version to be more effective then the OTC product. 40 mg at night has been very effective in releaving my GERD symptoms. I have expereinced fewer side-effects than 300 mg Zantac also at bedtime.
49 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-15 18:53:37
Question/Comment:
I've used (Fimoditine) in Pepcid and Pepcid Complete fairly regurlar for acid reflux for a number of years because of it works so well to relieve heart burn. Over time I've developed other digestive and intestinal problems, including bloating and severe constipation, so severe at times that I ache in my left side under my rib cage, in my lower left back and hip area, and I only get relief from the pain by passing stools or excessive amounts of gas. I've had a number of tests to rule out a variety of things; colonoscopys, a CT, blood work, parasite tests, and all come out normal. I've eliminated a variety of foods that I tended to believe might cause the problems of bloating and constipation, with little or no results. I'm have strong suspision now that Fimoditine in Pepcid is contributing to these increasing problems in my digestive track based on articles I've read that link acid reducers, such as Pepcid, to these specific problems, especially the bloating and consitpation. How likely is it that my symptoms are related to the use of Fimoditine? If I discontinue it's use, how long would it take to make a determination based on process of the elimination method to determine if my instinct is correct that it's a side effect of Fimoditine causing my digestive problems? 52 Year Old Female.
53 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-03 19:17:29
Answer/Reply:
That is a good question. I've been using Famitodine for several years now and I'm experiencing some of the same problems. Now I'm very curious, is there a link between the two?
40 year old female
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-23 17:15:28
Answer/Reply:
I had those same problems. I stopped using pepcid and such because I figured what's the use because I thought they weren't working and all of my doctor's tests came back normal, too. I actually don't have those problems anymore since I stopped using them and my stomach problems are now so much better. I suggest to stop taking them.
38 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-30 17:45:15
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Pepcid for several years with no adverse effects - I started taking it as a result of several surgeries on my esophagus do to a rupture - You may want to see an ENT --
73 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-04-05 20:14:49
Answer/Reply:
I've recently begin taking Pepcid AC, very, very sparingly (1/4 of a tab), but only occasionally. Reason I started is because of the following: I was taking Protonix for about 6 years or so for GERD/acid reflux. For about 4 of the 6 years, I only took protonix, occasionally (when I felt the need. Yes, I understand it was prescribed daily). I didn't experience any significant side effects until about the last two years with the last year landing me in the ER two times. Sypmtoms of: palpitations, rapid and what appeared to me as irregular heart beats; extreme chest constrictions, untriggered, unexplained waves of anxiety lasting from one wave/one second to all day more mild waves, and during last 8 months of so before stopping the protonix, faint-like feelings (couldn't stand up without feeling like I was going to go under). For about 2-3 years, been telling my physicians, without any alleviation of the symptoms. Negative diagnostic tests!! My new physician listened to me and heard me when I said I was taking protonix, along with other meds. My physician read an article about protonix and told me to stop it. Well, the symptoms went away within a couple of weeks with some very minor residual symptoms, rarely now. It was the protonix, in my opinion!!! I have GERD and very sparingly use anything associated with stopping the acid. I take raw, organic, apple cider vinegar, and try (I said try) to watch what I eat. Many times, my new regimen, works. When it does not, I take the 1/4 or 1/2 tab of the Pepcid AC. I am very careful to not take it every day!
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-10 00:02:54
Question/Comment:
I am a 66 year oid female. I have been taking Famoditine for about two years. I have noticed that my hair has started thinning. I had have always had very fine hair, but now I notice there is not much hair. Could Famotidine be responsible? I recently started taking Allopurinol for gout. This is a bad combination?
68 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-02-04 22:26:14
iGuard Answer/Reply:
There are many things that can cause hair loss including hormonal changes, serious illness, emotional or physical stress, or excessive shampooing and blow-drying. There are some reports of hair loss with famotidine use but it is not a very common side effect. Since there are so many other things that might contribute to hair loss, it is difficult to determine if famotidine is truly linked to the problem. If you are concerned about your hair loss, you may want to follow up with your doctor to make sure something more serious is not going on.
Also, there was no drug interaction between famotidine and allopurinol listed in the iGuard Drug Interaction System.
Posted: 2009-02-11 16:02:42
Answer/Reply:
I can't really answer your question, but can offer this input to your cause. I have been taking Famotidine for about 10 years and have also experienced hair loss. Although thinning hair is common in my family, the pattern of my loss is not typical. This may be worth looking into. Although I have tried other medications, none have worked as well at stopping my heartburn as Famotidine, I would be willing to switch if it would mean getting my hair back.
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-03-04 08:14:36
Question/Comment:
pepcid irrtates bladder infections i had too stop it
79 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-01-06 11:27:57
Question/Comment:
It is wonderful. I wouldn't come off it for the world.
31 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
32
Patient Comments about
Pepcid