PEPCID AC vs PEPCID PRESERVATIVE FREE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 17, 2026·How we rate

Attribute	PEPCID AC	PEPCID PRESERVATIVE FREE
Rating	70/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$1.54 /30	~$1.54 /30
Type	OTC	RX
Active ingredient	FAMOTIDINE	FAMOTIDINE
Manufacturer	Kenvue Brands	Merck
Dosage forms	Tablet	Injectable
Drug class	Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist	Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	2.5 to 3.5 hours	2.5 to 3.5 hours
Treats	Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis	Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis

pepcid ac pepcid preservative free

Rating

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$1.54 /30

Type

OTC

Active ingredient

FAMOTIDINE

Manufacturer

Kenvue Brands

Merck

Dosage forms

Tablet

Injectable

Drug class

Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

2.5 to 3.5 hours

Treats

Duodenal Ulcer, Dyspepsia, Peptic Esophagitis

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Pepcid Ac or Pepcid Preservative Free?

Pepcid Ac and Pepcid Preservative Free are tied at 3.5 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Pepcid Ac or Pepcid Preservative Free?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $1.54 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Pepcid Ac and Pepcid Preservative Free?

Both Pepcid Ac and Pepcid Preservative Free share the active ingredient Famotidine, but Pepcid Ac is sold as OTC and Pepcid Preservative Free as RX.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.