Famotidine (Gastric Antisecretory)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Famotidine?

Answer 1

Pepcid

Question 2

What dosage tablets are available for Famotidine?

Answer 2

20mg & 40mg

Question 3

What dose powder for oral suspension exists for Pepcid?

Answer 3

40mg/5mL after reconstitution, stable for 30 days after mixing.

Question 4

What dose of Pepcid is available is a premixed injection?

Answer 4

20mg/50mL

Question 5

What dose injection if available for Famotidine?

Answer 5

10mg/mL, stable for 48 hours after mixing with commonly used IV solutions

Question 6

What strength OTC Pepcid is available?

Answer 6

10mg & 20mg

Question 7

What dose of Pepcid is used when indicated for short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer?

Answer 7

20mg BID or 40mg at bedtime. Antacids may be given concomitantly to relieve acute pain. For maintenance give 20mg at bedtime.

Question 8

What dose of famotidine is used when indicated for pathological hypersecretory conditions?

Answer 8

Initially, 20mg every 6 hours (QID), Doses up to 160mg every 6 hours (QID) have been used in patients with severe Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Question 9

What dose of Pepcid is used when indicated for benign gastric ulcers?

Answer 9

40mg PO at bedtime

Question 10

What dose of Famotidine is used when indicated for GERD?

Answer 10

Adults: 20-40mg BID for 6-12 weeks
Children 1-16: 0.25mg/kg IV every 12 hours, up to 40mg/day
Children <1: 0.5mg/kg oral suspension QD in pt’s under 3 months and BID in patients over 3 months. May be used up to 8 weeks

Question 11

How is Pepcid dosage adjusted for patients with severe renal insufficiency?

Answer 11

In patients with a Car less than 10mL/min, decrease dose to 20mg at bedtime or increase dosing interval to every other day.

Question 12

What are the adverse effects of Pepcid?

Answer 12

Headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, transient irritation at injection site

Question 13

What are the drug interactions of Famotidine?

Answer 13

May decrease warfarin clearance.

Question 14

For who is Pepcid contraindicated/precautioned?

Answer 14

• Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to famotidine.
• Use with caution in patients with impaired renal function. In patients with a creatinine clearance less than 10mL/min, decrease dose to 20mg at bedtime or increase dosing interval to QOD.
• Use with caution when pregnant or lactating.

Question 15

What is the pregnancy class of Famotidine?

Answer 15

Pregnancy Category B

Question 16

What is the mechanism of action of Pepcid?

Answer 16

inhibits the histamine at the H2 receptors, including receptors on gastric cells.