OverviewDosageSide EffectsInteractionsHalf-Life

Below are the general guidelines for dosing famotidine. Note that these dosages may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for individual patients by a provider. Always follow your prescribing physician’s instructions for taking famotidine.

The following information comes from DailyMed, the official FDA label information provider for drugs.

What if I miss a dose of Famotidine?

If you miss a dose of famotidine, take it as soon as you can. If it’s almost time for your next dose, however, skip the missed dose and revert back to your regular schedule. Be sure not to double your doses. Sometimes famotidine is prescribed as a PRN or as needed medication in which case it would be okay to miss a dose since they would only be as needed doses.

What if I overdose on Famotidine?

The types of adverse reactions in overdosage of famotidine tablets are similar to the adverse reactions encountered with the use of recommended dosages.

In the event of overdosage, treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. Unabsorbed material should be removed from the gastrointestinal tract, the patient should be monitored, and supportive therapy should be employed.

Due to low binding to plasma proteins, famotidine is eliminated by hemodialysis. There is limited experience on the usefulness of hemodialysis as a treatment for famotidine tablets overdosage.

If you believe you or someone you know has overdosed on pepcid or any medication please call poison control 1- (800) 222-1222 and 911 in case of medical emergency.

How is Famotidine administered?

Table 1 shows the recommended dosage of famotidine 20 mg and 40 mg tablets in adult and pediatric patients weighing 40 kg and greater with normal renal function. The use of famotidine 20 mg and 40 mg tablets is not recommended in pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg because the lowest available strength (20 mg) exceeds the recommended dose for these patientsUse another famotidine formulation for pediatric patients weighing less than 40 kg.

Table 1: Recommended Dosage and Duration of Famotidine Tablets in Adult and Pediatric Patients 40 kg and Greater with Normal Renal Function

IndicationRecommended DosageRecommended
Duration
Active duodenal ulcer (DU)40 mg once daily; or 20 mg twice dailyaUp to 8 weeksb,c
Active gastric ulcer40 mg once dailyUp to 8 weeksc
Symptomatic nonerosive
GERD
20 mg twice dailyUp to 6 weeksc
Erosive esophagitis
diagnosed by endoscopy
20 mg twice daily; or 40 mg twice dailyaUp to 12 weeks
Pathological hypersecretory
conditionsd
Starting dosage: 20 mg every 6 hours;
adjust dosage to individual patient needs
Maximum dosage 160 mg every 6 hours

As clinically indicated
Reduction of the risk of DU
recurrenced
20 mg once daily1 yearc or as clinically
indicated

a Both dosages demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials.

b In clinical trials, the majority of patients healed within 4 weeks. For patients who do not heal after 4 weeks, consider an additional 2 to 4 weeks of treatment.

c Longer treatment durations have not been studied in clinical trials.

d In pediatric patients, the safety and effectiveness of famotidine tablets have not been established for the reduction of the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence or for treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions.

Dosage in Renal Impairment

Dosage adjustments of famotidine tablets are recommended for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min). Table 2 shows the recommended maximum dosage of famotidine 20 mg or 40 mg tablets for patients with renal impairment, by indication. Use the lowest effective dose. Some dosage adjustments may require switching to other formulations of famotidine (e.g., oral suspension, lower dose tablet).

Table 2: Recommended Maximum Dosage of Famotidine Tablets in Adult and Pediatric Patients 40 kg and Greater with Moderate and Severe Renal Impairment

IndicationRecommended Maximum Dosages
Creatinine clearance
30 to 60 mL/minute
Creatinine clearance
less than 30 mL/minute
Active duodenal ulcer (DU) 20 mg once daily; or
 40 mg every other day
 20 mg every other daya
Active gastric ulcer 20 mg once daily; or
 40 mg every other day
 20 mg every other daya
Symptomatic nonerosive GERD 20 mg once daily 20 mg every other daya
Erosive esophagitis diagnosed by
endoscopyb
 20 mg once daily; or
 40 mg every other dayb 
 20 mg every other daya,b 
 40 mg once dailyb 20 mg once dailyb
Pathological hypersecretory
conditionsc
 Avoid used
Reduction of the risk of DU
recurrencec
 20 mg every other daya (see footnote)e

a An alternate dosage regimen is 10 mg once daily. Since 20 mg or 40 mg tablet strength cannot be used for this dosage regimen, use an alternate famotidine formulation.

b Dosage adjustments for renal impairment are provided for both dosing regimens (20 mg twice daily and 40 mg twice daily) which showed effectiveness for the treatment of erosive esophagitis in clinical trials.

c In pediatric patients, the safety and effectiveness of famotidine tablets have not been established for the reduction of the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence or for treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions.

d Doses required to treat pathological hypersecretory conditions may exceed the maximum doses evaluated in patients with impaired renal function. The risk for increased adverse reactions in renally impaired patients treated with famotidine tablets for pathological hypersecretory conditions is unknown.

e Recommended dosage regimen is 10 mg every other day. Since 20 mg or 40 mg tablet strength cannot be used for this dosage regimen, use an alternate famotidine formulation.

Administration Instructions

  • Take famotidine tablets once daily before bedtime or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime, as recommended.
  • Famotidine tablets may be taken with or without food.
  • Famotidine tablets may be given with antacids.

How is Famotidine supplied?

Famotidine Tablets USP, 20 mg are available as beige, round, unscored, film-coated tablets, debossed with “5728” on one side and “TEVA” on the other side, containing 20 mg famotidine, packaged in bottles of 100 (NDC 0172-5728-60), 500 (NDC 0172-5728-70) and 1000 (NDC 0172-5728-80) tablets.

Famotidine Tablets USP, 40 mg are available as tan, round, unscored, film-coated tablets, debossed with “5729” on one side and “TEVA” on the other side, containing 40 mg famotidine, packaged in bottles of 100 (NDC 0172-5729-60) and 500 (NDC 0172-5729-70) tablets.

Dispense in a well-closed, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required).

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Avoid storage of famotidine tablets at temperatures above 40°C (104°F).

KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


More About Famotidine

Written by

Fact Checked by