Famotidine 40 mg/5 ml Suspension

H2-receptor blocker that reduces stomach acid, for:

• Duodenal and gastric ulcers (treatment and prevention of relapse)
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, acid indigestion
• Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
• Prevention of acid aspiration during anaesthesia

Adults:

• Ulcer: 40 mg at bedtime (or 20 mg twice daily) for 4–8 weeks; maintenance 20 mg at bedtime.
• GERD: 20 mg twice daily for up to 6 weeks; erosive oesophagitis 20–40 mg twice daily for up to 12 weeks.
• Heartburn: 10–20 mg when needed, up to twice daily; can be taken 15–60 minutes before a meal to prevent it.

Children 1–16 years (specialist): 0.5 mg/kg/day at bedtime or divided twice daily (max 40 mg/day).

Kidney impairment (CrCl < 50): halve the dose or double the interval.

• Allergy to famotidine or other H2 blockers

Common: headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea.

Less common: nausea, dry mouth, rash, tiredness.

Rare: confusion, agitation or hallucinations (elderly, kidney impairment), irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation in kidney failure), liver problems, low blood counts, breast tenderness.

• Exclude stomach cancer if alarm symptoms (weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools).
• Elderly and kidney impairment: lower doses.
• Heartburn lasting more than 2 weeks needs medical review.

Can be used in pregnancy when needed. Passes into milk in small amounts — generally acceptable while breastfeeding.

• Ketoconazole, itraconazole, atazanavir, dasatinib, iron salts (absorption reduced by lower acid)
• Antacids may reduce absorption slightly — separate by 1–2 hours
• Fewer interactions than cimetidine (does not affect liver enzymes)

Usually mild. Supportive care.

Store below 30°C.