Frequently Asked Questions

Heartburn is triggered by a variety of things, but the main cause is stomach acid escaping the stomach into the esophagus and causing a burning feeling. A normally functioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) should keep the contents of your stomach from escaping, but sometimes the LES relaxes or weakens, and allows acid to flow into the esophagus.

Common heartburn triggers are certain types of foods and beverages, smoking, and stress. They can increase stomach acid or relax the LES. Learn more about heartburn, its triggers, and how to manage it.

What triggers heartburn is not the same for everyone, but some of the most common heartburn triggers include certain types of foods – for example, anything that is greasy, spicy, or fatty. Find out more about diet tips that can help you prevent heartburn.

There are 3 main types of heartburn relief products you can buy at the store without a prescription that offer a range from quick relief to longer-lasting relief:

 Antacids  neutralize the acid in your stomach, but don’t stop your stomach from making more. Antacids start neutralizing acid in seconds, and may last up to 2 hours on a full stomach.

 Histamine-2 blockers (H2 blockers)  lower the amount of acid that your stomach produces, giving you lasting relief that goes to work quickly. PEPCID® is an H2 blocker. Both Original Strength and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® begin to work in 15-30 minutes, and help control acid all day or all night.* Dual Action PEPCID COMPLETE® combines an H2 blocker with an antacid, so it starts neutralizing acid in seconds, but has the long-lasting relief of an H2 blocker.

 Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)  work by shutting down pumps that release acid into your stomach. PPIs are not intended for immediate relief of heartburn. They may take 1–4 days for full effect, and require daily dosing for 14 days.

Learn more about how PEPCID® compares to other types of heartburn relief.

_{*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.}

Both PEPCID®, a histamine-2 blocker, and a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) decrease the amount of acid in your stomach, but work in different ways. Learn more about H2s vs. PPIs.

 Histamine-2 (H2) Blockers, Including PEPCID® 

• Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion or sour stomach

• Block the histamine receptors that trigger acid production

• Can be taken when unexpected heartburn occurs

• PEPCID COMPLETE® combines an H2 blocker with an antacid, so it starts to neutralize acid in seconds

• PEPCID AC® starts to work in 15-30 minutes

• PEPCID® controls acid all day or all night*

• Original Strength PEPCID AC®  and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC®  can even prevent heartburn if taken 15 to 60 minutes before a meal.

 Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) 

• Treat frequent heartburn

• Are not indicated for the prevention of heartburn (over-the-counter)

• Shut down pumps that release acid

• Are not intended for immediate relief

• May take 1-4 days to become fully effective

• Have to be taken every day for 14 days

• Can last for up to 24 hours

_{*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.}

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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.

PEPCID® is a histamine-2 blocker (H2 blocker) that provides relief for heartburn. The active ingredient in PEPCID® products is famotidine, an H2 blocker that helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. PEPCID® comes in three forms: Original Strength PEPCID AC®, Maximum Strength PEPCID AC®, and PEPCID COMPLETE®. Learn more about PEPCID®.

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® helps to relieve heartburn by lowering the amount of acid your stomach produces. It blocks the histamine receptors that trigger stomach acid production, thereby decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces and providing lasting relief. Learn more about how PEPCID® works.

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.

Use PEPCID® as directed on the product label. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours. If you find that you need to use PEPCID® for more than 14 days, stop use and consult a doctor.

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.}

PEPCID AC® provides heartburn relief that starts working in minutes, and controls acid all day or all night,* but it can even prevent heartburn if taken 15 to 60 minutes before a meal.

_{*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.

PEPCID COMPLETE® combines the long lasting effects of an acid-reducing histamine-2 blocker (famotidine) with the speed of an antacid (calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide) to help relieve symptoms in two different ways:

H2 blockers decrease the production of new stomach acid by blocking the histamine receptors that trigger stomach acid production, thereby providing lasting relief.

Antacids neutralize acid that is already present in the stomach, thereby giving fast relief.

PEPCID COMPLETE® is a single tablet that both reduces and neutralizes acid.

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.

For inquiries regarding the prescribing information for prescription PEPCID®, please call Marathon Company at 1-866-562-4620.

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.

PEPCID® products are not indicated for the treatment of GERD.

Gluten or gluten-containing grains are not ingredients in the product. However, we do not currently test our final products for gluten, and we cannot confirm that the product or any ingredients in the product are free of gluten. We strongly recommend that if you have any form of gluten intolerance or sensitivity, you should consult your doctor before taking any medication, since he or she is most familiar with your medical history.

PEPCID® should not be used with other acid reducers, such as PPIs.

We are not aware of any published reports of interactions between grapefruit juice and famotidine, the active ingredient in Original Strength PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC®, and one of the active ingredients in PEPCID COMPLETE®.

Avoid drinking alcohol to help prevent heartburn. Alcohol is a potential trigger for heartburn.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor before using PEPCID®.