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Generic Name

Famotidine

Trade Name

Pepcid

Indication

Short term treatment of active ulcer, GERD, treatment of heartburn, indigestion, management of Zollinger Ellison syndrome, prevention of GI bleeding in critically ill patients, management of symptoms associated with overuse of NSAIDs

Action

Blocks action of histamine located in gastric parietal cells, inhibits gastric acid secretion

Therapeutic Class

Antiulcer agent

Pharmacologic Class

Histamine H2 antagonist

Nursing Considerations

• May cause arrhythmias, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemias • Assess for abdominal pain and occult blood • Monitor CBC • Instruct pt to increase fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation