Famotidine is primarily used to reduce stomach acid and treat conditions caused by excessive acid production. Its main uses include:
- Treating and preventing heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach caused by acid reflux or certain foods and drinks.
- Managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus causing heartburn and esophageal injury.
- Treating stomach and duodenal ulcers (sores in the stomach or small intestine lining).
- Addressing erosive esophagitis caused by acid reflux.
- Treating pathological conditions with excessive stomach acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia.
- Preventing ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Used off-label for other conditions like refractory urticaria and stress ulcer prevention in critically ill patients.
Famotidine belongs to a class of medications called H2 blockers or histamine H2-receptor antagonists. It works by blocking H2 receptors on stomach cells, thereby reducing the production of stomach acid
. It is available both over-the-counter and by prescription, with prescription forms typically containing higher doses. Common brand names include Pepcid and Zantac 360
