Pepcid
| Noun | 1. | Pepcid - a histamine blocker (trade name Pepcid) used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis and esophageal reflux |
Pepcid
famotidine
Pharmacologic class: Histamine2-receptor antagonist
Therapeutic class: Antiulcer drug
Pregnancy risk category B
Action
Blocks action of histamine at histamine2-receptor sites in gastric parietal cells, inhibiting gastric acid secretion and stabilizing pepsin
Availability
Gelcaps: 10 mg
Oral suspension: 40 mg/5 ml
Solution for injection: 10 mg/ml, 20 mg/50 ml of normal saline solution
Tablets: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
Tablets (chewable): 10 mg
Tablets (orally disintegrating): 20 mg, 40 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Active duodenal ulcers and benign gastric ulcers
Adults: 40 mg P.O. once daily at bedtime or 20 mg P.O. b.i.d. for up to 8 weeks
➣ Prophylaxis of duodenal ulcers
Adults: 20 mg P.O. once daily at bedtime
➣ Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Adults: 20 mg P.O. b.i.d. for up to 6 weeks. Maximum dosage is 40 mg b.i.d. for up to 12 weeks.
Children ages 1 to 16: 1 mg/kg P.O. daily in two divided doses, to a maximum of 40 mg b.i.d.
Infants ages 3 months to 1 year: 0.5 mg/kg P.O. b.i.d. for up to 8 weeks
Infants younger than age 3 months: 0.5 mg/kg P.O. once daily for up to 8 weeks
➣ Gastric hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
Adults: Initially, 20 mg P.O. q 6 hours, increased as needed to 160 mg q 6 hours
➣ Hospitalized patients with pathologic hypersecretory conditions or ulcers; patients who can't take oral drugs
Adults: 20 mg I.V. q 12 hours
➣ Prevention or treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach (Pepcid AC only)
Adults: For prevention, 10 mg P.O. 1 hour before eating, or 10-mg chewable tablet 15 minutes before eating, to a maximum of 20 mg/24 hours for up to 2 weeks. For symptomatic treatment, 10 mg P.O. once or twice daily.
Dosage adjustment
• Renal impairment
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug or other histamine2-receptor antagonists
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• renal impairment with prolonged QT interval and seizures (very rare)
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
Administration
• Be aware that drug usually is given in one daily dose to patients with renal insufficiency.
• Give P.O. form with foods or liquids.
• Dilute I.V. form with 10 ml dextrose 5% in water or normal saline solution (100 ml) for I.V. piggyback administration.
• Deliver by I.V. push over 2 minutes or intermittent infusion over 30 minutes.
• Know that drug may cause transient irritation at I.V. site.
Adverse reactions
CNS: dizziness, headache, paresthesia, asthenia, fatigue, insomnia, somnolence, psychic disturbances
CV: palpitations, arrhythmias, AV block
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, anorexia, cholestatic jaundice, abdominal pain
GU: decreased libido
Hematologic: agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia (rare)
Hepatic: liver enzyme abnormalities, hepatitis
EENT: orbital edema, conjunctival redness, tinnitus
Musculoskeletal: musculoskeletal pain, muscle cramps, arthralgia
Respiratory: bronchospasm, interstitial pneumonia
Skin: flushing, acne, dry skin, rash, urticaria, alopecia, pruritus; epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (very rare)
Other: altered taste, fever, pain at injection site, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema
Interactions
Drug-diagnostic tests. Liver enzymes: altered levels
Patient monitoring
• Assess patient for GI signs and symptoms.
• Monitor blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in patients with renal impairment.
See Monitor patient for prolonged QT interval and seizures, which have been reported very rarely in patients with impaired renal function whose famotidine dosage or dosing interval may not have been adjusted appropriately. Also monitor patient for arrhythmia and AV block.
See Monitor patient for signs and symptoms of epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and hematologic or respiratory changes.
Patient teaching
• Tell patient that drug is most effective when taken at bedtime.
• Inform patient that pain relief may not begin until several days after therapy starts.
See Instruct patient to take drug exactly as prescribed and to immediately report cardiovascular signs and symptoms, seizures, and hematologic or respiratory changes.
• Tell female patient to inform prescriber if she is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the tests mentioned above.
Pepcid
(pĕp′sĭd)Pepcid®
Famotidine, see there.Pepcid
- noun
Synonyms for Pepcid
noun a histamine blocker (trade name Pepcid) used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis and esophageal reflux
Synonyms
- famotidine
Related Words
- histamine blocker
- brand
- brand name
- marque
- trade name