Pepcid is in a group of drugs called histamine-2 blockers. It works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Pepcid is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pepcid also treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Pepcid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Pepcid

You should not use Pepcid if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Before taking Pepcid, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, stomach cancer or other problems, or asthma, COPD, or other breathing problems.

The famotidine orally disintegrating tablet (Pepcid RPD) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of ranitidine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Avoid taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid) while you are taking Pepcid, unless your doctor has told you to.

Pepcid can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Pepcid may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Before taking Pepcid

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

You should not use Pepcid if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Before taking Pepcid, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease; or
• liver disease;
• stomach cancer or other problems; or
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing problems.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Pepcid.

The famotidine orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of ranitidine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Pepcid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Pepcid?

Use Pepcid exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

The chewable tablet must be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) for 5 to 10 seconds before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

To take famotidine orally disintegrating tablets (Pepcid RPD):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it on your tongue. It will begin to dissolve right away.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

Although most ulcers heal within 4 weeks of Pepcid treatment, it may take up to 8 weeks of using this medicine before your ulcer heals. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.

Pepcid may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes changes in diet or lifestyle habits. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.

Store Pepcid at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused Pepcid liquid that is older than 30 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fast heart rate, or fainting.

Pepcid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Pepcid and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• easy bruising or bleeding;
• fast or pounding heartbeat;
• confusion, hallucinations, seizure;
• numbness or tingly feeling; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious Pepcid side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
• dry mouth;
• dizziness, weakness, mood changes;
• headache; or
• muscle cramps, joint pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Pepcid?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• atazanavir (Reyataz);
• itraconazole (Sporanox);
• ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Pepcid. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Metoclopramide increases muscle contractions in upper digestive tract. This speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines.

Metoclopramide is used short-term to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux in people who have used other medications without relief of symptoms.

Metoclopramide is also used to treat slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes (also called diabetic gastroparesis), which can cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.

Metoclopramide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about metoclopramide

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or a history of depression.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of metoclopramide. There are many other medicines that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you. Stop using metoclopramide and call your doctor at once if you have tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, seizure, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes). After you stop taking metoclopramide, you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

Before taking metoclopramide

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to metoclopramide, or if you have:

• bleeding or blockage in your stomach or intestines;
• a perforation (hole) in your stomach or intestines;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
• an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma).

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease;
• liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
• congestive heart failure;
• diabetes (your insulin dose may need adjusting); or
• a history of depression.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take metoclopramide.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Metoclopramide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use metoclopramide without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take metoclopramide?

Take metoclopramide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The oral concentrate form of metoclopramide must be mixed with another liquid, such as water, fruit juice, soda, or a soft food like applesauce or pudding. Carefully follow mixing directions to make sure you get the correct dose.

Metoclopramide is usually taken before meals and at bedtime. Your doctor may want you to take the medication as needed only with meals that usually cause heartburn. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Store metoclopramide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements in face or neck, or seizure (convulsions).

Metoclopramide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using metoclopramide and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• tremors, or restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• mask-like appearance of the face;
• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing;
• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
• hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, jittery feeling, trouble staying still;
• swelling, fluid retention;
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• feeling restless, drowsy, tired, or dizzy;
• headache, sleep problems (insomnia);
• nausea, diarrhea;
• breast tenderness or swelling;
• changes in your menstrual periods; or
• urinating more than usual.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

After you stop taking metoclopramide, you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or nervousness. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

What other drugs will affect metoclopramide?

Before taking metoclopramide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
• glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
• levodopa (Larodopa, Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet);
• mepenzolate (Cantil);
• tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Robitet, Sumycin, Tetracap, and others);
• atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);
• bronchodilators such as ipratroprium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with metoclopramide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Carafate (Sucralfate) is an anti-ulcer medication.

Carafate (Sucralfate) is not greatly absorbed into the body through the digestive tract. It works mainly in the lining of the stomach by adhering to ulcer sites and protecting them from acids, enzymes, and bile salts.

Carafate (Sucralfate) is used to treat an active duodenal ulcer. Sucralfate can heal an active ulcer, but it will not prevent future ulcers from occurring.

Sucralfate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Carafate (Sucralfate)?

Before taking sucralfate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis). You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take sucralfate. Take sucralfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take sucralfate for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the ulcer is completely cleared.

Avoid taking any other medications at the same time you take sucralfate. It is best not to take other medicines within 2 hours before or after taking sucralfate.

Avoid using antacids without your doctor’s advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for sucralfate to work in your stomach.

If your doctor does recommend using an antacid, avoid taking it within 30 minutes before or after taking sucralfate.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Carafate (Sucralfate)?

Before taking sucralfate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis). You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take sucralfate. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether sucralfate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Carafate (Sucralfate)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take sucralfate with a full glass of water. Take sucralfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the ulcer is completely cleared. Store sucralfate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of sucralfate is not likely to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Carafate (Sucralfate) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, indigestion;
• stomach pain;
• constipation, diarrhea;
• mild itching or skin rash;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dizziness, drowsiness, spinning sensation;
• headache; or
• back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Carafate (Sucralfate)?

Taking sucralfate can make it harder for your body to absorb many other medications, especially:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
• levothyroxine (Synthroid);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release);
• ranitidine (Zantac);
• tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur, and others);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
• certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with sucralfate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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