Medication that Treats Symptoms of Acid Peptic Disease (APD)

Acid peptic disease (APD) includes a number of conditions. Gastric acid and peptic activity are responsible for the damage to the stomach. It irritates the inner cells of the stomach. The acid affects the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Symptoms of APD.

• Discomfort.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea.
• Pain in the upper abdomen or discomfort.
• Fullness, bloating or belching.
• Burring stomach pain.

Famotidine treats and helps reduce symptoms of APD. It is also used to treat gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

How do Famotidine works?

Famotidine belongs to the class of drugs called as histamine- 2 (H-2) receptor blockers. H-2 receptors are present in the lining of the stomach. These receptors help in the production of gastric acid in the stomach. Natural chemical histamine binds to this receptors. Binding with histamine causes the cells to produce stomach acid.

Famotidine blocks the H-2 receptors and inhibits its binding to histamine. Blocking the receptors works to,

1. Stops or reduces the production of acid in the lining of the stomach.
2. Prevents damage to esophagus and stomach.

How to take Famotidine?

Famotidine is available in the form of oral tablets of 20 mg and 40 mg.

Adult Dosage.

• Active duodenal ulcer- 40 mg one time in a day.
• Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)- 20 mg two times in a day for 6 weeks.

Children dosage (1 month to 16 years).

• 0.5 to 1 mg/kg two times in a day.

Comments:

• You can take the tablet with or without food. Swallow it with a glass of water or other liquid.
• Your doctor may make an adjustment in the dose as needed. It depends on the condition that is being treated.

What are the precautions in taking Famotidine?

Consider certain conditions prior to starting the treatment. Inform your doctor if you have/are;

• Poor kidney function.
• Allergic to above drug.
• Pregnant or plan to be pregnant.
• Breast feeding.
• QT prolongation (change in heart rhythm).

Discuss the medicines you take in present.

Discuss with your doctor. It may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia.

Check for diagnosis of gastric malignancy before you start the treatment.

What are the uses of famotidine?

Famotidine is useful in the treatment of the following diseases;

1. Heartburn.
2. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (tumors in the pancreas or small intestine).
3. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease.(Backward flow of acid).
4. Gastric ulcer (Sores in the lining of the stomach).
5. Duodenal ulcer.
6. Prevents coming back of intestinal ulcers after they have healed.
7. Relieves symptoms such as a cough that doesn’t go away.

Cost of Famotidine (Generic and Brand).

A generic drug is lower cost version of Brand drugs. It cost nearly 30-80% less. Brand and Generic medications contain the same active ingredient. Some the effect remains the same. The generic drug maker’s didn’t have the development cost for years of research. This allows us to sell cheap and effective generic drug to our customers.

• Cost of Generic Famotidine.

1. 30 tablets of 20 mg costs $ 20, per unit cost is $ 0.67.
2. 30 tablets of 40 mg costs $ 30, per unit cost is $ 1.

• Cost of Brand Pepcid.

1. Cost of 30 tablets of 20 mg is $ 325.92, per unit cost is $ 10.86.
2. Cost of 30 tablets of 40 mg is $ 600.42l, per unit cost is $ 20.01.