If you're looking to get rid of that burning feeling in your stomach caused by too much acid in your stomach, you've come to the right place! We're talking about maximum strength Pepcid AC pills, which contain famotidine - an H2 blocker that has been shown to reduce acid production in the stomach. Find out more about the dosages, side effects, use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and alternatives in the relevant sections.
What Is The Maximum Strength Pepcid AC Pills?
Pepcid AC is available in two different strengths on the market: Original strength and Maximum strength, both of which contain different amounts of Famotidine.
Mechanism Of Action
Famotidine in Pepcid AC (Original strength & Maximum strength) pills work by binding to an H2-receptor on the basolateral surface of gastric parietal cells. As a result, the production of stomach acid decreases.
Ingredients
Maximum Strength Pepcid AC Tablets is of 20mg and contains:
Famotidine................................... 20mg
Indications or Uses.
Maximum Strength Pepcid AC is used to treat the heartburn, indigestion and Dyspepsia caused by overproduction of gastric acid and the following disease conditions namely:
- Treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers
- Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Treatment of Pathological hypersecretion of gastric acid associated with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- Treatment of Esophagitis
- Prevention of Nsaid Induced ulcers
- As a part of multidrug treatment regimen in H. Pylori treatment.
- Preoperatively in surgical patients to prevent aspiration pneumonia
Contraindications.
Maximum Strength Pepcid AC is contraindicated in any patient who is known to have hypersensitivity with Famotidine or H2 receptor blockers or one of it's component.
Dosage and administration
Administration
Once or twice a day as advised by your Physician 15 to 30 minutes before meal or at bed time.
Dosage
Dosage For Adults
Route: Oral
Condition Dose Time Period Heartburn 10 to 20 mg orally once a day before meals Up to 14 days GERD 20 mg orally twice a day before meals Up to 6 weeks Duodenal Ulcers 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals Up to 4 weeks Gastric Ulcers 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals Up to 8 weeks NSAID-associated Gastric Ulcers 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals Up to 4-8 weeks Erosive Esophagitis 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals Up to 12 weeks Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome 20 mg orally every 6 hourly decided by your Physician
Please follow your Physician’s instructions for dosing.
| Condition | Dose | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn | 10 to 20 mg orally once a day before meals | Up to 14 days |
| GERD | 20 mg orally twice a day before meals | Up to 6 weeks |
| Duodenal Ulcers | 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals | Up to 4 weeks |
| Gastric Ulcers | 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals | Up to 8 weeks |
| NSAID-associated Gastric Ulcers | 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals | Up to 4-8 weeks |
| Erosive Esophagitis | 40 mg once a day or 20 mg twice a day before meals | Up to 12 weeks |
| Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome | 20 mg orally every 6 hourly | decided by your Physician |
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of this medication as soon as you remember. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed one and resume your regular dosing regimen. Avoid doubling of the doses.
Indications During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
The The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Pepcid Maximum (famotidine) a B rating, which means it is totally safe to use during pregnancy. Just make sure to check with your gynecologist first before taking any medication.
Lactation
There is no evidence to suggest that using Pepcid Maximum during breastfeeding is harmful to your baby’s health.
Side Effects
The following common side effects can occur with Pepcid Maximum use these include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhea or Constipation
- Vomiting
Other serious reactions that require immediate attention from a healthcare provider include
- Hives
- Difficult breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Fast heartbeats
Interactions
- Atazanavir
- Bosutinib
- Dapsone
- Dasatinib
- Delavirdine
- Digoxin
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Mefloquine
Pro Advice 💡
For best results, always take the medication before meals or at bed time.
Do not chew the tablet instead swallow it with a sip of water.
If you experience itching, rashes, hives, swallowing of the face, or hellucination stop taking the medication immediately and speak to your Physician.
In case of heart burn, indigestion and reflux try healthy natural alternatives such as:
- Avoid eating close to bed time
- Elevate your head while sleeping with a pillow
- Sleep on your left side
- Eat small meals on a regular basis
- Avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks, smoking and alcohol
- Eat a low spice diet
- Avoid junk food
- Drink skimmed milk.
Price
Pack of 25 tablets available at a price of 10.98$ (USD)
Other Alternative Medicines
FAQs
Q1. What Pepcid Maximum is used for?
Ans. Pepcid Maximum is commonly used to treat the heartburn, indigestion and Dyspepsia caused by overproduction of gastric acid and the following disease conditions namely
- GERD
- Duodenal ulcers
- Peptic Ulcers
- Erosive Esophagitis
- Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
- Part of multidrug treatment regimen in H. Pylori treatment
- In preoperative patients to prevent aspiration Pneumonia
- Sometimes used in hives because it's an H2 blocker that suppresses allergic reactions.
Q2. What is the generic name for Pepcid Maximum?
Ans. Pepcid Maximum contains Famotidine a H2 receptor blockers that decreases the production of acid in stomach by reversibly binds to the receptors.
Q3. What is the best h2 blocker?
Ans. Famotidine is the best H2 blocker because of it's longer duration of action and less drug-to-drug interactions than other drug in this class like Cimetidine
Q4. Why does Pepcid stop itching?
Ans. Pepcid contains Famotidine that is an H2 receptor blocker it competitively inhibit binding of histamine to the receptor thus prevent allergic reactions to occur
Q5. Can I take Pepcid Maximum and Gaviscon together?
Ans. You may take an antacid with Pepcid Maximum but don't take until your doctor advise you to do so.
References
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States [Internet]. Maryland, USA; User information booklet; Famotidine (Pepcid).
Disclaimer
All information on the product's uses, dosage, side effects, formula, ingredients, indications, contraindications, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and whether it is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is based solely on material found on the internet and it is only provided here for general education and information purposes only.
We can not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information we published on this website. All of the information material we published is based only on FDA-approved literature and is not intended to replace expert medical advice.Always seek an expert medical advice from a health care provider before start using this medicine.
Dr. Mohd Kamran Karim
I am a professional doctor and an enthusiastic blogger who completed his graduation in 2013 (MBBS) and currently working as a post graduate clinical fellow. I am a medical professional with desired clinical expertise, and I want to utilize my knowledge & writing to advise my readers on how to use prescription and over-the-counter medications to minimize any adverse effects.