PEPCID® is a Histamine-2 blocker (H2 blocker) with the active ingredient famotidine. Famotidine helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.
PEPCID® offers three main products that provide heartburn relief that you can take whenever you need. Original Strength PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® contain an H2 blocker that begins to work in 15 minutes and helps control acid all day or all night.* PEPCID Complete® combines an H2 Blocker with an antacid that starts neutralizing acid in seconds, so it works even faster. Because the faster it starts relieving heartburn, the better.
H2 Blocker Product Comparison Chart
PEPCID® (Famotidine) has been approved by the FDA since 1986 and was first available over-the-counter in 1995.
PEPCID AC® and ZANTAC® are approved for the same use. However, PEPCID® contains Famotidine, unlike ZANTAC® and other OTC products that contain Ranitidine.
H2
Original Strength PEPCID AC®
H2
Maximum Strength PEPCID AC®
H2 + Antacid
PEPCID COMPLETE®
H2
ZANTAC®
Famotidine
(Acid Reducer)
Famotidine
(Acid Reducer)
Famotidine
(Acid Reducer)
Calcium Carbonate
(Antacid)
Magnesium Hydroxide
(Antacid)
Ranitidine
(Acid Reducer)
Reduces stomach acid production
Reduces stomach acid production
Reduces stomach acid production
+ Neutralizes stomach acid
Reduces stomach acid production
Tablet
Tablet
Chewable Tablet
Tablet
SEE HOW PEPCID® IS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER HEARTBURN MEDICATIONS
About Antacids
- Neutralizes the existing stomach acid
- Doesn’t stop your stomach from making more acid
- Starts working in seconds
- May last 20-30 minutes per dose
ABOUT H2 blockers (Pepcid®)
- Lowers the amount of acid your stomach produces
- Blocks the histamine receptors in your stomach that are responsible for triggering acid production.
- Starts to work in 15 minutes
- Lasts all day or all night*
About Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Works by shutting down pumps that release acid into your stomach
- Not intended for immediate relief
- May take 1-4 days to become fully effective
- Requires a daily dosing regimen
*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.”*
