{"id":53011,"date":"2023-09-20T09:41:36","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T09:41:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medsname.com\/famocid\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T10:49:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T10:49:12","slug":"famocid","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/medsbase.com\/el\/famocid\/","title":{"rendered":"Famocid"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

⚡ Quick Answer — What is Famocid?<\/h3>\n

Famocid<\/strong> \u03b5\u03af\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 famotidine 20 mg or 40 mg tablets<\/strong> by Sun Pharma from a WHO-GMP certified manufacturer. Famotidine is a histamine H2<\/sub> receptor antagonist<\/strong> — it blocks the histamine signal that drives stomach acid secretion. Standard adult dose:<\/strong> 20 mg twice daily, or 40 mg once at bedtime, for up to 8 weeks. Onset is faster than a PPI<\/strong> (about 30 minutes), but the maximum acid-suppression effect is smaller. Famotidine is the modern safe substitute for ranitidine<\/strong> — ranitidine was withdrawn globally in 2020 over NDMA contamination, and famotidine is the H2<\/sub> antagonist that all major regulators recommend in its place. Useful for breakthrough symptoms on a PPI, on-demand mild GERD, NSAID ulcer prophylaxis, and night-time acid breakthrough. Tachyphylaxis<\/strong> (loss of effect) develops after 7–14 days of continuous daily use — this is why famotidine is best used on-demand or for short courses, with PPIs as the first choice for chronic disease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\u0391\u03c5\u03c4\u03cc \u03c0\u03bf\u03c5 \u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd MedsBase:<\/strong> \u03a0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2 WHO-GMP \u00b7 \u0394\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03c3\u03c5\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u00b7 \u03a0\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03cc\u03c3\u03bc\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae \u00b7 1,400+ \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u03b5\u03c5\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ad\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b5\u03bb\u03b1\u03c4\u03ce\u03bd<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\ud83d\udce6 \u039a\u03ac\u03b8\u03b5 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03a0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u0395\u03b3\u03b3\u03cd\u03b7\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u0395\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae\u03c2<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 \u03b5\u03ac\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf \u03b4\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c3\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b4\u03b5\u03bd \u03c6\u03c4\u03ac\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9 \u03b5\u03bd\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2 20 \u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03ac\u03c3\u03b9\u03bc\u03c9\u03bd \u03b7\u03bc\u03b5\u03c1\u03ce\u03bd, \u03c4\u03bf \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03bc\u03b5.<\/p>\n

\u0393\u03b9\u03b1\u03c4\u03af \u03bd\u03b1 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03bb\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7 MedsBase<\/h3>\n

\u03a4\u03b1 \u03b3\u03b5\u03bd\u03cc\u03c3\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03ac\u03c1\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03ac \u03bc\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ad\u03c1\u03c7\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd WHO-GMP \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bb\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c3\u03bc\u03af\u03c9\u03c2 \u03c3\u03b5 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae, \u03b1\u03c0\u03bb\u03ae \u03c3\u03c5\u03c3\u03ba\u03b5\u03c5\u03b1\u03c3\u03af\u03b1 \u2014 \u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03af\u03c2 \u03cc\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u03b5\u03be\u03c9\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b4\u03ad\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2. \u039f\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ad\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03c9 \u03c1\u03c5\u03b8\u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5 \u03b5\u03c0\u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae (\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03b3\u03c1\u03b1\u03c6\u03ad\u03c2 \u03b5\u03ba\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd \u03c1\u03c5\u03b8\u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf \u03b5\u03c0\u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1\u03c3\u03c4\u03ae \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ce\u03bd \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03ac\u03c1\u03c4\u03b1 \u2014 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03ad \u201cMedsBase\u201d \u03ae \u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u03b4\u03ae\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b5 \u03cc\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5). \u0393\u03af\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b4\u03b5\u03ba\u03c4\u03ad\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03c9\u03bc\u03ad\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b5 \u03ba\u03c1\u03c5\u03c0\u03c4\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03c1\u03b1\u03c0\u03b5\u03b6\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03c6\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac SEPA. \u039a\u03ac\u03b8\u03b5 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03a0\u03bf\u03bb\u03b9\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u0395\u03c0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b1\u03c0\u03bf\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03ae\u03c2 \u0395\u03be\u03b1\u03c3\u03c6\u03b1\u03bb\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03ce\u03c2 \u03bc\u03b1\u03c2.<\/p>\n

What Famocid Is<\/h2>\n

Famocid is the Sun Pharma brand of famotidine<\/strong>, a third-generation H2<\/sub>-receptor antagonist. Each tablet contains either 20 mg or 40 mg of famotidine. Famotidine is the safest and most widely used H2<\/sub> antagonist on the modern market — particularly since ranitidine (Aciloc, Rantac) was withdrawn from most major markets in 2020 over the discovery of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA, a probable human carcinogen) contamination. The other H2<\/sub> antagonist still available in some markets is cimetidine, but cimetidine has a much heavier drug-interaction burden than famotidine and is rarely used today.<\/p>\n

How Famocid Works (Mechanism)<\/h2>\n

Stomach acid secretion is controlled by three signals reaching the parietal cell: acetylcholine<\/strong> (vagal nerve), gastrin<\/strong> (G-cells in the antrum), and histamine<\/strong> (enterochromaffin-like cells). The histamine signal is the dominant one, and it acts through H2<\/sub> receptors on the parietal-cell basolateral membrane. Famotidine is a competitive, reversible antagonist at this H2<\/sub> receptor. By blocking histamine, it shuts down the most powerful single driver of acid secretion. Effect onset is about 30 minutes after oral dosing, peak at 1–3 hours, and duration roughly 10–12 hours — long enough that twice-daily or once-at-bedtime dosing covers most patients.<\/p>\n

This is a different mechanism from proton-pump inhibitors. PPIs work downstream — they block the proton pump itself, the final common pathway. PPIs give deeper, longer acid suppression but take 3–5 days to reach full effect. H2<\/sub> antagonists give shallower acid suppression but work within an hour, and they preserve the partial-secretion response to vagal stimulation. The two classes can be combined — PPI in the morning, famotidine at bedtime — for night-time acid breakthrough, a strategy that has reasonable evidence in refractory GERD.<\/p>\n

Indications — What Famocid Treats<\/h2>\n

1. Mild-to-moderate GERD — on-demand or short-term<\/h3>\n

For occasional or mild reflux symptoms, an H2<\/sub> antagonist taken on demand often gives sufficient relief without the commitment of a chronic PPI. Onset within an hour, useful for symptoms after a known trigger meal.<\/p>\n

2. Breakthrough symptoms on a PPI — particularly nocturnal<\/h3>\n

Some patients on adequate PPI therapy still experience night-time acid breakthrough. Adding famotidine 20–40 mg at bedtime improves nocturnal pH control. Tachyphylaxis means this strategy is best reserved for as-needed use.<\/p>\n

3. Peptic ulcer disease<\/h3>\n

Famotidine heals duodenal and gastric ulcers, although PPIs are more effective. Useful where PPI is poorly tolerated or contraindicated. Healing duration is 4–6 weeks for duodenal ulcer, 6–8 weeks for gastric ulcer.<\/p>\n

4. NSAID-associated ulcer prophylaxis<\/h3>\n

For lower-risk patients on chronic NSAID therapy, double-dose famotidine (40 mg twice daily) is an alternative to PPI for ulcer prevention. PPI remains preferred for higher-risk patients.<\/p>\n

5. Stress-ulcer prophylaxis (where PPI is not preferred)<\/h3>\n

Some recent ICU practice has shifted back toward H2<\/sub> antagonists for stress-ulcer prophylaxis because of concerns about PPI-related C. difficile<\/em> infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia.<\/p>\n

6. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (high-dose adjunct)<\/h3>\n

Used in addition to high-dose PPI in selected hypersecretory states.<\/p>\n

7. Aspiration prophylaxis before surgery<\/h3>\n

A 40 mg dose the night before and 2 hours before induction reduces gastric volume and acidity (Mendelson syndrome prophylaxis).<\/p>\n

\u03a7\u03bf\u03c1\u03ae\u03b3\u03b7\u03c3\u03b7<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Indication \/ patient<\/th>\nAdult dose<\/th>\nDuration \/ notes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
GERD — mild-to-moderate<\/td>\n20 mg twice daily, or 40 mg at bedtime<\/td>\n6–12 weeks; review<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On-demand reflux<\/td>\n10–20 mg as needed, max 40 mg\/24 h<\/td>\nas needed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duodenal ulcer healing<\/td>\n40 mg at bedtime, or 20 mg twice daily<\/td>\n4\u20136 \u03b5\u03b2\u03b4\u03bf\u03bc\u03ac\u03b4\u03b5\u03c2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gastric ulcer healing<\/td>\n40 mg at bedtime<\/td>\n6–8 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NSAID ulcer prophylaxis<\/td>\n20–40 mg twice daily<\/td>\nduration of NSAID therapy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Renal impairment (CrCl < 50)<\/td>\n20 mg once daily<\/td>\nreduce dose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severe renal impairment (CrCl < 10)<\/td>\n10 mg once daily or 20 mg every 36–48 h<\/td>\nspecialist-led<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children > 1 yr (with prescriber)<\/td>\n0.5 mg\/kg twice daily (max 40 mg\/dose)<\/td>\npaediatric supervision<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Famotidine can be taken with or without food. Onset is faster on an empty stomach. Avoid taking at the same time as an antacid (Acigene) — separate by at least 1–2 hours.<\/p>\n

\u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b5\u03bd\u03ad\u03c1\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2<\/h2>\n

Common (1–3%):<\/strong> headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue.<\/p>\n

\u03a3\u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03b9\u03b1 \u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03ac \u03c3\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ac:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Confusion, agitation, hallucinations — particularly in elderly or renally impaired patients (more common with high doses)<\/li>\n
  • Bradycardia or arrhythmia (very rare; reported with rapid IV administration)<\/li>\n
  • Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia (rare; reversible)<\/li>\n
  • Hepatitis, jaundice (rare; reversible on stopping)<\/li>\n
  • Severe hypersensitivity (rash, angioedema, anaphylaxis — very rare)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Famotidine has a much cleaner side-effect profile than cimetidine. Unlike cimetidine, it does not cause gynaecomastia, impotence, or anti-androgen effects.<\/p>\n

    \u0391\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bb\u03b5\u03c0\u03b9\u03b4\u03c1\u03ac\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03a6\u03b1\u03c1\u03bc\u03ac\u03ba\u03c9\u03bd<\/h2>\n

    Famotidine has a much smaller drug-interaction burden than cimetidine. The main interactions are absorption-related rather than enzyme-mediated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \u03a6\u03ac\u03c1\u03bc\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf \/ \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03c1\u03af\u03b1<\/th>\n\u0391\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bb\u03b5\u03c0\u03af\u03b4\u03c1\u03b1\u03c3\u03b7<\/th>\nAction<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Atazanavir, rilpivirine (HIV)<\/td>\nAcid-dependent absorption; H2<\/sub> antagonists reduce levels<\/td>\nSeparate by 12 hours; specialist input<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Itraconazole, ketoconazole<\/td>\nAcid required for absorption; reduced by famotidine<\/td>\nAvoid combination if possible; choose fluconazole<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Iron supplements<\/td>\nReduced acid impairs ferrous-iron absorption<\/td>\nUse vitamin-C-fortified iron, or switch to IV iron if marked deficiency<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Calcium carbonate<\/td>\nAcid-dependent absorption reduced<\/td>\nSwitch to calcium citrate for osteoporosis treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0391\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9\u03cc\u03be\u03b9\u03bd\u03b1<\/td>\nMay reduce famotidine absorption<\/td>\nSeparate by 1–2 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u03a0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b2\u03b5\u03bd\u03b5\u03c3\u03af\u03b4\u03b7<\/td>\nReduces renal clearance of famotidine<\/td>\nReduce famotidine dose if combined long-term<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tizanidine<\/td>\nFamotidine has no clinically significant effect (cimetidine does — but famotidine is safe)<\/td>\nMonitor only if dose adjusted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Contraindications and Cautions<\/h2>\n