Medication

I take famotidine tabs for gerd, is it possible that I am taking too much? I have pains when I take the medicine, and less pain when I dont take the medicine.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Without u saying how much and how long u r taking the meds it is difficulte to speculate.In doing some reading I found u should only take 2 tablets in a 24 hr period...and with plenty of water.And if u do not have results in 2 weeks u should stop the meds and see ur dr.

Sometimes a dr will rx for u to take the meds differently than reccommended by the manufactuer. Again, u should speak with ur dr.

The duration u r on the drug and dosage is very important.
Please post an update.

"selma"

[bulletbarney]

I take 2 20mg tablets daily at Bedtime. Have been taking this for about 1 year now. Went and seen my gastro Dr. today , he said I have IBS.

[selmaS]

Hi, since I am not a medical pro...I must go one what I read...I am being switched from PPI's to an rx of pepcid which is famotidine. SO I did some research on this.....it is copied and pasted below.
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PRESCRIBED FOR: Famotidine blocks the action of histamine on stomach cells, and reduces stomach acid production. Famotidine is useful in promoting the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers and in reducing ulcer pain. Famotidine has been effective in preventing recurrence of ulcers when given in low doses for prolonged periods of time. Famotidine also is used for treating heartburn and in healing ulceration and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) resulting from acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD). High doses are used for treating conditions in which there are marked increases in acid secretion such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

DOSING: The recommended adult oral dose for treating duodenal ulcers


DOSING: The recommended adult oral dose for treating duodenal ulcers is 40 mg once daily at bedtime or 20 mg twice daily. Most patients heal their ulcers within 4 weeks. The regimen for maintenance therapy after the ulcers are healed is 20 mg once a day at bedtime.

The recommended adult oral dose for treating gastric ulcer is 40 mg once a day at bedtime, and esophagitis is treated with 20-40 mg twice daily for 6-12 weeks. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is treated with 20 mg every 6 hours.

Heartburn due to GERD is treated with 10-20 mg daily.
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SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects of famotidine are rare. Minor side effects include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, insomnia, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Major side effects include agitation, anemia, confusion, depression, easy bruising or bleeding, hallucinations, hair loss, irregular heartbeat, rash, visual changes, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).