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Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide |
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| Pronunciation |
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 (fa
MOE ti deen, KAL see um KAR bun
ate, & mag NEE zhum hye DROKS ide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Pepcid® Complete
[OTC] |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antacid; Histamine H2 Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to famotidine, any other histamine
H2
antagonist, calcium, magnesium, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Calcium in the blood,
kidney stones, low phosphate in the blood, colostomy, ileostomy, blockage in the
intestines, severe constipation, kidney failure, or
appendicitis.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat heartburn due to acid
indigestion.
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| How does it work? |
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- Famotidine decreases stomach acid secretion.
- Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are antacids. They
neutralize the acid or make it less
damaging.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Do not take more than 2 tablets daily. Do not use for longer than 14
days.
- Do not swallow tablet whole. Chew completely before
swallowing.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- This medicine is taken on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Certain foods may be more likely to cause acid indigestion in some
patients. Avoid the ones that worsen your heartburn.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor), caffeine (for
example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake, and smoking to help decrease
heartburn.
- Do not use with other products for acid indigestion.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
- Dark, tarry-black stool.
- Severe constipation or diarrhea.
- Severe belly pain.
- If you need to use for more than 14 days in a
row.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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