H2 Blockers
Famotidine
Famotidine (generic Pepcid) is an H2 blocker that reduces stomach acid for heartburn, reflux and ulcers. Prescription strengths are inexpensive generics, and lower strengths are sold over the counter.
This page is general information about a medication and how cash prices for it are set. It is not medical advice and does not replace the label, your prescriber or your pharmacist. How we handle medical information
Prescription and over-the-counter tablets are generic.
About Famotidine
Famotidine blocks histamine H2 receptors on the acid-producing cells of the stomach. It works within an hour and lasts about twelve hours, making it useful for symptom relief and for bedtime dosing, though it reduces acid less completely than proton pump inhibitors. It became the standard H2 blocker after ranitidine was withdrawn from the market.
Prescription famotidine is used for ulcers, reflux disease and erosive esophagitis; the over-the-counter strengths are labeled for heartburn. It is also used alongside antihistamines for hives and allergic reactions. The dose is reduced in people with poor kidney function. Side effects are uncommon; headache and constipation or diarrhea are the most reported.
Because H2 blockers do not carry the long-term concerns raised about proton pump inhibitors, prescribers sometimes step patients down from omeprazole or pantoprazole to famotidine once symptoms are controlled.
Taking Famotidine
- How to take it
- Once or twice a day as prescribed, with or without food. To prevent heartburn with the over-the-counter form, take it 15 to 60 minutes before eating.
- If you miss a dose
- Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose; in that case skip the missed dose and carry on as usual. Never take two doses at once to make up.
- Storage
- At room temperature in the original container, away from heat and moisture (so not in a bathroom cabinet), and out of reach of children.
- Interactions to know about
- It reduces absorption of medicines that need stomach acid, such as some antifungals and some HIV medicines. The dose is lowered in reduced kidney function.
This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.
Why the cash price for Famotidine differs from pharmacy to pharmacy
A 20 mg prescription tablet and a 20 mg over-the-counter tablet are the same medicine; the over-the-counter pack carries no dispensing fee and is often the cheaper way to buy that dose. The 40 mg tablet has no over-the-counter equivalent and is a commodity generic.
The suspension costs pharmacies far more than tablets.
Upload it and licensed pharmacies reply with their own cash price. You pay the pharmacy, not us.
Ways to pay less for Famotidine without insurance
- If your dose is 20 mg once or twice a day, ask the prescriber whether the over-the-counter product is appropriate for you.
- For 40 mg, ask the pharmacy whether one 40 mg tablet or two 20 mg tablets is cheaper.
- Ask for a ninety-day prescription for long-term use.
- Compare independent and mail-order pharmacies.
- Upload your prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for Famotidine
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your Famotidine prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Questions to ask your pharmacist about Famotidine
- 1.When is the best time to take it?
- 2.Is the over-the-counter version the same thing?
- 3.Is my dose right for my kidney function?
- 4.Does it interact with any of my medicines?
- 5.How long should I stay on it?
Where Famotidine fits
Vets prescribe it too. See Famotidine and omeprazole for pets for the safety points that differ in animals.
Related medications
Sources
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.