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Pepcid vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

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.

• 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)

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

• Confusion and other side effects related to the nervous system in some people
• Masking of possible stomach cancer

Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is a salicylate antidiarrheal medication. It's used to ease diarrhea and symptoms of an upset stomach (e.g., gas, nausea) in adults and kids ages 12 years and older. This medication is taken by mouth, typically once every 30 minutes to an hour, as needed. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is found over the counter in several different formulations, such as chewable tablets and oral solutions. Side effects of this medication include nausea, changes in taste, dark-colored tongue, and black stool.

• Diarrhea
• Travelers' diarrhea
• Symptoms of upset stomach (e.g., heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching (burping), fullness)

• Nausea
• Bitter taste in mouth
• Diarrhea
• Dark-colored stools

• Reye's syndrome in children
• Salicylate toxicity
• Allergic reactions