Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet (ePIL).
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.
For further information call emc accessibility on
0800 198 5000.
The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 12762/0683.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Famotidine is and what it is used for 2. What you need to know before you take Famotidine 3. How to take Famotidine 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Famotidine 6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What this medicine is and what it is used for
Famotidine belongs to a group of medicines called histamine H2 receptor antagonists. These work by reducing the amount of acid you produce in your stomach.
Famotidine is used to treat the following:
Stomach ulcers (gastric/ duodenal ulcers)
Mild to moderate irritation and inflammation caused by stomach acid leaking up into the gullet (reflux oesophagitis)
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (a rare disorder that involves recurrent ulcers and tumours in the stomach and intestines)
2. What you need to know before you take Famotidine
Do not take Famotidine if
you are allergic to famotidine, other H2-receptor or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Famotidine if
There is a possibility of a malignant growth (tumour) being present in your stomach
you suffer from kidney problems
you have been taking a high dose of Famotidine for a long time. Your doctor may monitor your blood count and liver function
Other medicines and Famotidine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including those obtained without prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
Medicines which may interact with Famotidine:
Famotidine may decrease the effect of posaconazole oral suspension (a drinkable medicine used to prevent and treat some fungal infections)
Famotidine may decrease the effect of dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, pazopanib (medicines used to treat cancer)
Ketoconazole (should be administered 2 hours before Famotidine) or Itraconazole, used to treat fungal infections
Probenicid, used to treat gout
Antacids, for indigestion (famotidine should be administered 1-2 hours before taking an antacid)
Sucralfate, used to treat and prevent the recurrence of ulcers (sucralfate should not be administered within 2 hours of taking famotidine)
Calcium carbonate, when used as a medicine for high blood phosphate levels in patients on dialysis
Atazanavir, used for treatment of HIV infection
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnant
If you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, you should not take Famotidine unless your doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast-feeding
If you are breast-feeding, you should either stop taking Famotidine or stop breast-feeding as it is excreted in breast milk.
Driving and using machines
Whilst taking Famotidine you may feel dizzy or have a headache. If you develop these symptoms, you should not drive or operate machinery or do activities which require you to be alert and have quick reactions.
3. How to take Famotidine
Always take Famotidine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
These tablets are to be taken orally.
Famotidine can be taken with or without food.
40mg-The tablet can be divided into equal doses.
Adults and Elderly
Stomach Ulcers
The recommended dose is 40 mg once a day at night.
The duration of treatment will normally be between 4-8 weeks. In most cases the ulcer will heal with this treatment within 4 weeks. If your ulcer has not healed completely, treatment may be continued for another 4 weeks.
For treatment of a recurrent ulcer, the recommended dose is 20 mg at night.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
The recommended dose is 20 mg every six hours.
The dosage should then be adjusted
Reflux Oesophagitis
The recommended dose for treating mild symptoms is 20 mg twice a day.
The recommended dose for treating mild to moderate symptoms is 40 mg twice a day.
Treatment should be continued for 6-12 weeks.
Patients with Kidney disorders/on dialysis
If you suffer from kidney disorders, your doctor is likely to reduce your dose.
Famotidine should be administered at the end of dialysis or after since some of the active ingredient is removed by dialysis.
Use in children
Famotidine are not recommended for children.
If you take more Famotidine than you should
If you accidentally take too many tablets, contact your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately for advice. Remember to take this leaflet or any remaining tablets with you.
If you forget to take your Famotidine
Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Famotidine
It is important that you keep taking Famotidine for as long as your doctor has told you to.
In case of long-standing ulcer disease, abrupt withdrawal after symptom relief should be avoided.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Famotidine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Seek medical advice immediately if you develop the following symptoms:
Allergic reactions: swelling of the face throat or tongue, difficulty in breathing or dizziness (anaphylaxis)
Difficulty in breathing or wheezing (bronchospasm)
Severe blistering of the skin, mouth, eyes and genitals (Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
Shortness of breath or dry cough due to inflammation of the lungs (interstitial pneumonia)
Swelling of the deeper layers of the skin caused by a build-up of fluid (angioneurotic oedema)
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Headache
Dizziness
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Feeling and/or being sick (nausea/vomiting)
Abdominal pain
Excessive wind/feeling bloated (flatulence)
Tiredness (fatigue)
Dry mouth
Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Taste disorder
Severe itching (pruritus)
Rash
Skin rashes with the formation of wheals (urticaria)
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
An increase in liver enzymes in the blood (detected through blood tests)
Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Reduction in blood platelets, which increases risk of bleeding or bruising (thrombocytopenia)
Reduction in white blood cells (leukopenia, neutropenia),
Reduction in white blood cells which may make infections more likely (agranulocytosis)
Reduction in blood cells which can cause weakness, bruising or make infections more likely (pancytopenia)
Reversible psychic disturbances including:
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
Disorientation
Confusion
Anxiety disorders
Restlessness (agitation)
Depression
Disorders of sexual function (reduced libido)
Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
Inability to maintain an erection (impotence)
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet (paraesthesia)
Sleepiness or drowsiness (somnolence)
Fits (convulsions), epileptic seizures including grand mal seizures (particularly in patients with kidney problems)
Hair loss (alopecia)
Chest tightness
Muscle cramps
Joint pain (arthralgia)
Inflammation of liver (hepatitis)
Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Abnormal liver function tests
Worsening of existing liver disease
Abnormal heart rhythm where the heart beats too slowly (AV block)
Heart rhythm condition that may cause a fast heartbeat (QT prolongation) (especially in patients with impaired kidney function)
Other side effects
Enlargement of breasts in men (gynaecomastia) (not known if caused by Famotidine)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Famotidine
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and outer packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Famotidine 20 mg and 40mg film-coated Tablets: This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Famotidine Tablets contain
The active substance is famotidine.
Each Famotidine 20 mg film-coated tablet contains 20 mg famotidine.
Each Famotidine 40 mg film-coated tablet contains 40 mg famotidine.
The other ingredients for the 20mg product are pregelatinised starch, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, iron oxide black (E172)
The other ingredients for the 40mg product are pregelatinised starch, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, Iron oxide red (E172), hypromellose, calcium carbonate (E170), macrogol, Carmine (E120)
What Famotidine Tablets look like and contents of the pack:
Famotidine 20 mg film-coated Tablets are 6.2mm-6.5mm (edge to edge) and 7.0mm-7.2mm (point to point), Hexagonal, biconvex, brown film-coated tablets.
Famotidine 40 mg film-coated Tablets are 8mm, Circular, biconvex, pink to pinkish film-coated tablets with a break line on one side.