Brand Name : FAM-O
Generic Name : Famotidine
Preparations : 20 mg / 40 mg Tablets
Pharmacological Category : Histamine H2 Antagonist

Mechanism of Action (MOA)
FAM-O (Famotidine) binds competitively to H2-receptors located on the parietal cell blocking the histamine effect. This competitive inhibition results in reduced basal and nocturnal gastric acid secretion and a reduction in gastric volume.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption : Readily but incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract
  • Bioavailability : About 40 to 45%
  • Peak Plasma Concentration : 1 to 3 hours
  • Protein Binding : About 15 to 20%
  • Metabolism : Small proportion is metabolized in the liver to famotidine S-oxide
  • Elimination Half-life : About 3 hours
  • Excretion : Urine (25 to 30%)

Indications and Dosage

  • Benign Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer : One tablet of FAM-O 40 mg daily at bedtime or one tablet of FAM-O 20 mg twice daily for 4 to 8 weeks; maintenance: One tablet of FAM-O 20 mg at bedtime to prevent recurrence of duodenal ulceration
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease : One tablet of FAM-O 20 mg twice a day for 6 to 12 weeks. One table of FAM-O 40 mg twice a day if there is oesophageal ulceration; maintenance : One tablet of FAM-O 20 mg twice a day to prevent recurrence
  • Short Term Symptomatic Relief of Heartburn or Non-ulcer Dyspepsia : One tablet of FAM-O 20 mg daily
  • Zollinger Ellison Syndrome : Initially one tablet of FAM-O 20 mg every 6 hours and increased as necessary up to FAM-O 800 mg daily

Side Effects
COMMON : Diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, tiredness, headache, rashes
RARELY REPORTED : Hepatotoxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, fever, arthralgia, myalgia, blood disorders including agranulocytosis, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, acute pancreatitis, interstitial nephritis, hallucinations, depression, cardiovascular disorders including bradycardia, tachycardia and heart block, impotence and gynaecomastia

Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to famotidine or other H2 receptor antagonists

Warnings / Precautions

  • Before giving to patients with gastric ulcers, the possibility of malignancy should be considered as it may mask symptoms and delay diagnosis.
  • Famotidine should be given in reduced dosage to patients with renal impairment.
  • Use in lactation is not recommended as drug enters into breast milk.

Drug Interactions
Famotidine can reduce the absorption of drugs such as dasatinib, ketoconazole, and possible itraconazole due to its effects on gastric pH.

Pregnancy Category : B

Presentations
FAM-O 20 mg : A box of 20 blisters, each blister of 10 tablets
FAM-O 40 mg : A box of 20 blisters, each blister of 10 tablets