Famotidine (Generic) Tablets for Pets: Used in the Treatment of Many Types of Gastric Inflammation
Famotidine Tablets for Dogs and Cats
20mg and 40mg Tablets - Prescription Strength
Generic Tablets - Manufacturer Varies
Famotidine is a histamine-blocking medicine which helps lower the level of gastric acid secreted in the stomach. This medication has been used for treating or managing gastric or duodenal ulcers. Famotidine has been prescribed for gastritis and reflux conditions.
How do I give Famotidine Tablets?
First, READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY
Administer Famotidine as directed by your veterinarian.
If Famotidine is prescribed as a liquid, measure the dose carefully.
Try to give this medication at the same time each day.
Try not to miss any doses because symptoms may reoccur due to missed doses.
DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed.
DO NOT give your pet medicine more often than prescribed.
DO NOT stop giving your pet Famotidine unless directed by your veterinarian. Plan ahead to ensure you have the refills you need.
If I miss a dose, what do I do?
If you miss a dose, give it to your pet as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, then continue with the regular dosing schedule. Do not give your pet two doses at once.
How do I store Famotidine Tablets?
Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Store this medicine at room temperature in dry, cool place. Keep this medication away from heat and direct sunlight.
Do not store this medicine in damp places, in the bathroom, or near the kitchen sink. The medicine can break down if exposed to moisture or heat.
What are the potential side effects of Famotidine Tablets?
Adverse effects of this medicine have not been fully determined for veterinary species. The adverse effects shown in humans include: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dry mouth or skin. If your pet experiences any of these symptoms and they continue, call your veterinarian.
Other side effects may occur. Contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.
What about possible drug interactions?
Whenever possible, give your pet Famotidine at least 2 hours before or after the other medications.
Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any other medications or supplements you are giving your pet.
It’s not uncommon for your veterinarian to prescribe two different medications, which may cause a drug interaction to occur. If this happens, your veterinarian may change the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
If Famotidine must be given with antacids, metoclopramide, sucralfate, digoxin and/or ketoconazole, whenever possible give Famotidine at least 2 hours before or after the other medications.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.
Famotidine Tablets for Dogs and Cats
20mg and 40mg Tablets - Prescription Strength
Generic Tablets - Manufacturer Varies
Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?
Famotidine is a histamine-blocking agent. It helps reduce the amount of gastric acid secreted in the stomach. Famotidine has been used for treating or helping to manage gastric or duodenal ulcers. It has also been used to treat gastritis and reflux conditions.How do I give this medication?
- Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
- If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
- Try to give this medication at about the same time(s) each day.
- DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed.
- DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
- DO NOT stop giving this medication to your pet unless directed by your veterinarian. Call your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet needs a refill.
- Try not to miss giving any doses since symptoms may reoccur if dosages are missed.
What do I do if I miss giving a dose?
Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.
How do I store this medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
- Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.
What are the potential side effects?
- The adverse effect profile has not been fully determined for veterinary species.
- Adverse effects documented in humans include: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dry mouth or skin.
- If you observe any of these symptoms in your pet and they persist, contact your veterinarian.
- Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.
Are there any possible drug interactions?
"Give famotidine at least 2 hours before or after the other drugs, whenever possible."
- Make sure to tell your veterinarian if you are giving your pet any other medication or supplements.
- Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and sometimes a drug interaction may be anticipated. If this occurs, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
- If famotidine must be given with antacids, metoclopramide, sucralfate, digoxin and/or ketoconazole, give famotidine at least 2 hours before or after the other drugs, whenever possible.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.
Famotidine
Trade Names:
Pepcid®
General Description:
Famotidine is used in dogs and cats to reduce the amount of stomach acid produced, and to treat and protect against gastric ulcers. It is also used to treat inflammation of, or reflux from, the stomach and esophagus. Famotidine is available in 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg tablets as well as an oral powder/liquid.
What is this drug?
- An H2 receptor antagonist
- Injectable forms can be given in the veterinary clinic, but there are several forms that can be given by mouth at home
Reasons for prescribing:
- Used to reduce the amount of stomach acid produced, plus to treat ulcers and protect against ulcer formation
- Used in the treatment of gastritis and esophagitis (inflammation of the stomach and esophagus, respectively)
- Used to treat gastric and esophageal reflux
What dogs/cats should not take this medication?
- Use during pregnancy can affect weight gain. Use with caution.
- Avoid use of famotidine if your pet is nursing puppies/kittens
- Use with caution in older pets or those with heart, liver or kidney disease
- If your pet has had an allergic reaction to famotidine or like products before
Directions:
Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. It is usually given once or twice a day .
Read and follow the label carefully.
Give on an empty stomach if at all possible. Food will decrease its effectiveness.
Give this medication for as long as veterinarian directs. Do not skip doses or stop giving the medication without consulting your veterinarian.
Ideally, give the medication at the same time(s) daily.
What if a dose is missed?
If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.
What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?
Talk to your veterinarian about:
- When will your pet need to be rechecked
- What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
- Risks and benefits of using this drug
Tell your veterinarian about:
- If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
- If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
- If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
- If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
- If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet
Storage and Warnings:
Famotidine tablets should be stored in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.
Famotidine oral liquids should be refrigerated.
Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets.
Possible side effects:
- This medication is usually well tolerated
- Possible loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue
- May have a temporary increase in stomach acid production when famotidine is discontinued
- May decrease white blood cell count, especially if your pet is also receiving other bone marrow suppressing drugs (ex. azathioprine)
- Intravenous use in cats may cause red blood cell damage
- If these symptoms persist or you notice anything else unusual, contact your veterinarian
Can this drug be given with other drugs?
- Yes, but possible interactions may occur with antacids, digoxin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, metoclopramide, sucralfate, vitamins and supplements.
- Give famotidine 2 hours before or after other medications
- If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian.
Overdosing?
Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.
What else should I know?
Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.
As with all prescribed medicines, famotidine should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.
This is just a summary of information about famotidine. If you have any questions or concerns about famotidine or the condition it was prescribed for, contact your veterinarian.