FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PEPCID® is a histamine-2 blocker with the active ingredient famotidine. PEPCID® is indicated to relieve or prevent heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain food and beverages.

PEPCID® is not indicated for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

Each person should speak to their healthcare provider about what treatment option may be right for them for their individual condition or needs.

Famotidine is the active ingredient in PEPCID® and is a histamine-2 blocker. Famotidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

PEPCID® can be used if you suffer from occasional heartburn. It can be taken whenever you have unexpected heartburn. Learn more about PEPCID® so you can know how it works to help relieve your heartburn.

PEPCID® works fast and lasts all day or all night.* PEPCID Complete^® combines a histamine-2 blocker with an antacid, so it starts working in seconds and lasts all day or all night.* A regular antacid may only work for a few hours. Original Strength PEPCID AC^® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC^® are H2 blockers, and start to work within 15-30 minutes and controls acid all day or all night.*

*Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.

Use PEPCID® as directed on the product label. Do not crush tablets. Swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not chew.

The active ingredients of PEPCID Complete^® include famotidine 10 mg, calcium carbonate 800 mg and magnesium hydroxide 165 mg. Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are the salt forms of elemental or base calcium and magnesium. Calcium carbonate contains 40% elemental calcium, which means that the 800 mg of calcium carbonate in PEPCID Complete® contains 320 mg of elemental calcium. Magnesium hydroxide contains 42% elemental magnesium, which means that the 165 mg of magnesium hydroxide in PEPCID Complete® contains 70 mg elemental magnesium. Since calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide are active ingredients in PEPCID Complete®, they are listed in the “active ingredients” section of the drug facts label. The “additional information” section of the drug facts label lists the total amounts of base or elemental calcium and magnesium content of the product, as required by the FDA.

The “Do not use if you have trouble or pain swallowing” statement appears on the labels of all acid reducers, and is based on the condition being treated rather than the drug itself. The rationale for this warning is that trouble swallowing may indicate a more severe underlying disease state than just heartburn alone. It is recommended that if you have trouble swallowing, you should consult your physician before using this product.