pepcid

How long does Famotidine stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of famotidine is 2.5 to 3.5 hours — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the elimination half-life stated in §12.3 of the FDA label for adults with normal organ function; the label reports a single elimination half-life and does not separate a distribution from a terminal phase. Famotidine is not a prodrug, and it has no active metabolite that outlasts it — the label says the only metabolite identified in humans is the S-oxide, and famotidine undergoes minimal first-pass metabolism, with 25-30% of an oral dose recovered in urine unchanged. Kidney impairment: famotidine is cleared mostly by the kidneys (65-70% renal), and clearance falls in kidney impairment, so the drug lingers longer. The current label quantifies this as exposure rather than half-life — AUC increases at least 2-fold with moderate impairment (creatinine clearance 30-60 mL/min) and at least 5-fold with severe impairment (below 30 mL/min) — and it does not state a specific prolonged half-life number, so none is given here. Older adults: the label names no separate half-life, but notes famotidine is substantially excreted by the kidney and that risk of adverse reactions may be greater in elderly patients, particularly those with impaired renal function. Liver impairment: this label states no hepatic pharmacokinetic data and no half-life for liver impairment.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: DailyMed - FAMOTIDINE tablet, film coated (FDA label, revised 11/2021), §12.3 Pharmacokinetics.

Frequently asked questions

What does Pepcid treat?

Pepcid (Famotidine) may be used to treat duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, peptic esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, stomach ulcer, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How much does Pepcid cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $1.54 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Pepcid?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Pepcid. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Pepcid?

Pepcid is marketed by Bausch. You can see Bausch's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Pepcid a brand-name or generic drug?

Pepcid is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Famotidine. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Famotidine are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Pepcid available over the counter?

No. Pepcid is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Pepcid come in?

Pepcid is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Pepcid?

Pepcid is classified as histamine-2 receptor antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Pepcid FDA-registered?

Pepcid is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA019462. You can verify this on its official FDA label.