What is famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Famotidine is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. Famotidine works by decreasing
the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals that neutralize acid in the stomach.
The combination of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is used to relieve heartburn associated
with acid indigestion and sour stomach.
Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium may also be used for conditions other than those listed in
this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical
attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder,
sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.
You should not use this medication if you have:
-
trouble swallowing;
-
vomiting with blood;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
-
if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such
as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if you have:
-
nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
-
unusual weight loss;
-
wheezing or trouble breathing when you have heartburn; or
-
if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to used famotidine, calcium, and
magnesium, or you need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
It is not known whether famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is harmful to an unborn baby.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication to treat a child younger than 12 years of age.
How should I take famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow your doctor's instructions.
The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
The usual dose of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is one tablet as needed, up to twice per
day.
Do not use more than two tablets in 24 hours.
Stop using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if stomach pain continues or if you need to take
this product for more than 14 days. You may have a more serious stomach condition that requires
different treatment.
In addition to taking this medication, other tips for managing heartburn include:
-
Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating.
-
Do not eat late at night, or just before bedtime.
-
Eat slowly and do not eat big meals.
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If you smoke, quit smoking.
-
If you are overweight, lose weight.
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Raise the read of your bed.
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Wear loose fitting clothing around your stomach.
Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause heartburn, such as
chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, some fruits and vegetables, and rich, spicy, fatty, or fried foods.
Store famotidine, calcium, and magnesium at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Your pharmacist has information about famotidine, calcium, and magnesium written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if:
-
your heartburn gets worse; or
-
you still have heartburn after 2 weeks of taking famotidine,
calcium, and magnesium.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical
attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder,
sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.
You should not use this medication if you have trouble swallowing, vomiting with blood,
bloody or tarry stools, or if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine
(Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if you have nausea,
vomiting, stomach pain, unusual weight loss, wheezing or trouble breathing when you have heartburn, or
if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months.
Do not use more than two tablets in 24 hours.
Stop using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if stomach pain continues or if you need to take
this product for more than 14 days. You may have a more serious stomach condition that requires
different treatment.
What should I avoid while taking famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Do not take famotidine, calcium, and magnesium together with regular famotidine (Pepcid,
Pepcid AC, Pepcid RPD) or another acid reducer; or
What other drugs will affect famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium can
make it harder for your body to absorb certain drugs. Your other medications may not work as well if
you take them with famotidine, calcium, and magnesium.
There may be other drugs that can interact with famotidine, calcium, and magnesium. Tell your
doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium?