Famotidine (Pepcid®)

Famotidine (Pepcid®) Antacid for Gastric Ulcers & Esophagitis in Dogs & Cats

Famotidine (Pepcid®) is an antacid medication primarily used to treat gastric ulcers and esophagitis. Veterinarians also sometimes prescribe famotidine alongside corticosteroids such as prednisone to help prevent steroid-induced ulcers.

Famotidine Dosing & Administration

Follow the prescription label and the plan provided for your pet. Famotidine can be given once or twice daily, with or without food, based on the plan from your pet’s veterinary team.

Famotidine is available over the counter in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg dosages at most drugstores. If you’re unsure which dosage to purchase, ask a pharmacist for assistance.

Missed doses & Changing medications

If your pet misses a dose of famotidine, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose time on the prescription label. If it’s close, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not give two doses at once.

Contact your pet’s veterinary team before making changes to a famotidine plan.

Potential Side Effects of Famotidine

Famotidine is generally very well-tolerated by animals, and most pets don’t experience side effects. Reported side effects include:

  • Gastrointestinal side effects: lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea

  • Rare blood effects: low levels of red and white blood cells on rare occasions

Headaches, dry skin, and dry mouth have been reported in humans, but pets do not typically experience these side effects.

Famotidine FAQs

  • Famotidine is an antacid primarily used to treat gastric ulcers and esophagitis. Veterinarians also sometimes prescribe it alongside corticosteroids such as prednisone to help prevent steroid-induced ulcers.

  • Famotidine can be given once or twice a day, with or without food. Follow the prescription label and the plan from your veterinary team.

  • If your pet misses a dose of famotidine, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose time on the prescription label. If it’s close, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time.

  • Most pets don’t experience side effects, but reported side effects include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and rarely low levels of red and white blood cells.

  • Yes. Famotidine is available over the counter in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg dosages at most drugstores. If you’re unsure which dosage to purchase, ask a pharmacist for assistance.