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Compare Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
    Ranitidine
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
    Ranitidine

  • Summary of Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist

    Famotidine (Pepcid) is a type of acid reducer called a histamine-2 (H2) antagonist. It helps treat problems caused by too much stomach acid. Over-the-counter famotidine (Pepcid or Pepcid AC) can help with heartburn in people who are 12 and up. Prescription-only famotidine is for people with more ongoing stomach acid problems and stomach or gut ulcers. This medication is taken by mouth once or twice a day. It usually starts to work within an hour and lasts several hours. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and constipation.

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Prescription only

    Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. It's used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. It was recalled in 2020 due to safety concerns about a chemical impurity, but it has since been reformulated and is now back on the market. Your dose depends on why you’re taking it, but it’s usually taken by mouth one to four times a day. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and feeling tired.

  • Indications of Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Indications for
    •

    Over-the-counter famotidine:

    •Prevention and relief of heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
    •

    Prescription famotidine:

    •Stomach ulcers
    •Intestinal ulcers
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other conditions that cause too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
    Indications for
    •Stomach ulcer
    •Intestinal ulcer
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other high-acid conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or mastocytosis)

  • Pros and Cons of Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Available over the counter (OTC) for heartburn
    •Effects can last for up to several hours after taking
    •Generally well-tolerated with few side effects and risks
    •Can take with antacids if needed (e.g., calcium carbonate (Tums))
    Cons
    •Can take 1 to 3 hours to fully work
    •OTC version not for children under 12 years old
    •Higher risk of certain side effects in older adults and people with kidney problems
    •Might not work as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for relieving heartburn and healing stomach ulcers
    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Reduces stomach acid for ulcers and GERD
    •Can be used in adults and children
    •Works pretty quickly, within hours for GERD
    Cons
    •Might need to take multiple times a day
    •Interacts with many medications
    •Not as strong as PPIs for severe symptoms

  • Common Side Effects of Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Dizziness
    •Constipation
    •Diarrhea
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Tiredness
    •Dizziness
    •Diarrhea
    •Constipation
    •Stomach pain
    •Nausea

  • Warnings of Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Common Side Effects for
    •Confusion and other side effects related to the nervous system in some people
    •Masking of possible stomach cancer
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Medication interactions
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Famotidine vs. Ranitidine

    Learn more about Famotidine
    Learn more about Ranitidine

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