FAMOTIDINE
RxNorm 310274· ORAL
Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist [EPC] · Aurobindo Pharma Limited
Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Famotidine for oral suspension is indicated in adults for the treatment of: active duodenal ulcer (DU). active gastric ulcer (GU). symptomatic nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). erosive esophagitis due to GERD, diagnosed by biopsy. treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasias). reduction of the risk of DU recurrence. Famotidine for oral suspension is indicated in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older for the treatment of: peptic ulcer disease. GERD with or without esophagitis and ulcerations. Famotidine for oral suspension is indicated in pediatric patients from birth to less than 1 year of age for the treatment of: GERD. Famotidine for oral suspension is a histamine-2 (H 2 ) receptor antagonist indicated ( 1 ): In adults for the treatment of: active duodenal ulcer (DU). active gastric ulcer (GU). symptomatic nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). erosive esophagitis due to GERD, diagnosed by biopsy. treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasias). reduction of the risk of DU recurrence. In pediatric patients 1 year of age and older for the treatment of: peptic ulcer. GERD with or without esophagitis and ulcerations. In pediatric patients from birth to less than 1 year of age for the treatment of: GERD.
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended adult dosage by indication ( 2.1 ): Active DU 40 mg once daily; or 20 mg twice daily Active GU 40 mg once daily Symptomatic Nonerosive GERD 20 mg twice daily Erosive Esophagitis due to GERD 20 mg twice daily; or 40 mg twice daily Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions 20 mg every 6 hours; adjust to patient needs; maximum 160 mg every 6 hours Risk Reduction of DU Recurrence 20 mg once daily Recommended pediatric dosage by indication ( 2.2 ): Peptic Ulcer Disease 1 year to less than 17 years Starting dosage 0.5 mg/kg once daily; or 0.25 mg/kg twice daily; may increase to 1 mg/kg once daily at bedtime or 0.5 mg/kg twice daily; Maximum of 40 mg per day GERD Birth to less than 3 months Starting dosage 0.5 mg/kg once daily; may increase to 1 mg/kg once daily 3 months to less than 1 year Starting dosage 0.5 mg/kg twice daily; may increase to 1 mg/kg twice daily; Maximum of 40 mg per day GERD with or without esophagitis and ulcerations 1 year to less than 17 years 0.5 mg/kg twice daily Maximum of 40 mg twice daily See full prescribing information for complete dosing information in adults and pediatrics, recommended treatment duration by indication, and dosage adjustment for adult patients with renal impairment. ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 ) Administration ( 2.4 ): Take once daily before bedtime or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime with or without food. 2.1 Recommended Dosage in Adults The recommended dosage and duration of famotidine for oral suspension in adults with normal renal function is shown in Table 1. After preparation, the concentration of famotidine for oral suspension is 8 mg/mL [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Table 1: Recommended Dosage and Duration of Famotidine for Oral Suspension in Adults with Normal Renal Function a Both dosages demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . b In clinical trials, the majority of patients healed within 4 weeks. For patients who do not heal after 4 weeks, consider an additional 2 to 4 weeks of treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. c Longer treatment durations have not been studied in clinical trials [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2 , 14.3) ] . Indication Recommended Dosage Recommended Duration Active DU 40 mg once daily; or 20 mg twice daily a Up to 8 weeks b, c Active GU 40 mg once daily Up to 8 weeks c Symptomatic nonerosive GERD 20 mg twice daily Up to 6 weeks c Erosive esophagitis due to GERD, diagnosed by endoscopy 20 mg twice daily; or 40 mg twice daily a Up to 12 weeks Pathological hypersecretory conditions Starting dosage: 20 mg every 6 hours; adjust dosage to individual patient needs Maximum dosage 160 mg every 6 hours As clinically indicated Reduction of the risk of DU recurrence 20 mg once daily 1 year b,c or as clinically indicated 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Pediatric Patients The recommended dosage and duration of famotidine for oral suspension in pediatric patients with normal renal function is shown in Table 2. After preparation, the concentration of famotidine for oral suspension is 8 mg/mL [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. Table 2: Recommended Dosage and Duration of Famotidine for Oral Suspension in Pediatric Patients with Normal Renal Function a Treatment duration based on adult recommendations (see Table 1). Individualize the dose and duration based upon clinical response and/or pH determinations (gastric or esophageal) and endoscopy. b Use conservative measures (e.g., thickened feedings) concurrently [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . c After 4 weeks of treatment re-evaluate the patient. Consider an additional 4 weeks of treatment if treatment benefit outweighs potential risks. Indication Pediatric Age Range Recommended Dosage Duration Peptic Ulcer Disease 1 year to less than 17 years Starting dosage 0.5 mg/kg once daily; or 0.25 mg/kg twice daily May increase to 1 mg/kg once daily at bedtime or 0.5 mg/kg twice daily Maximum of 40 mg per day 8 weeks a GERD Birth to les…
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Central Nervous System (CNS) Adverse Reactions : Elderly patients and patients with renal impairment at increased risk; reduce the dosage. ( 2.1 , 5.1 , 8.5 , 8.6 ) GI Malignancy : Absence of GI symptoms does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy; evaluate prior to initiating therapy. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Central Nervous System Adverse Reactions Central nervous system (CNS) adverse reactions, including confusion, delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, agitation, seizures, and lethargy, have been reported in elderly patients and patients with moderate and severe renal impairment treated with famotidine. Since famotidine blood levels are higher in patients with renal impairment than in patients with normal renal function, dosage adjustments are recommended in patients with renal impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 5.2 Concurrent Gastric Malignancy In adults, symptomatic response to therapy with famotidine for oral suspension does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy. Consider evaluation for gastric malignancy in adult patients who have a suboptimal response or an early symptomatic relapse after completing treatment with famotidine for oral suspension.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Famotidine for oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with a history of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to famotidine or other H 2 -receptor antagonists. History of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to famotidine or other H 2- receptor antagonists. ( 4 )
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption : Systemic exposure of the concomitant drug may be significantly reduced leading to loss of efficacy. ( 7.1 ) Tizanidine (CYP1A2) Substrate: Potential for substantial increases in blood concentrations of tizanidine resulting in hypotension, bradycardia or excessive drowsiness; avoid concomitant use, if possible. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption Famotidine can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity, leading to loss of efficacy of the concomitant drug. Concomitant administration of famotidine for oral suspension with dasatinib, delavirdine mesylate, cefditoren, and fosamprenavir is not recommended. See the prescribing information for other drugs dependent on gastric pH for absorption for administration instructions, including atazanavir, erlotinib, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, nilotinib, and rilpivirine. 7.2 Tizanidine (CYP1A2 Substrate) Although not studied clinically, famotidine is considered a weak CYP1A2 inhibitor and may lead to substantial increases in blood concentrations of tizanidine, a CYP1A2 substrate. Avoid concomitant use with famotidine for oral suspension. If concomitant use is necessary, monitor for hypotension, bradycardia or excessive drowsiness. Refer to the full prescribing information for tizanidine.
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data with H 2 -receptor antagonists, including famotidine, in pregnant women are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse development effects were observed with oral administration of famotidine at doses up to approximately 243 and 122 times, respectively, the recommended human dose of 80 mg/day for the treatment of erosive esophagitis (see Data) . The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Reproductive studies have been performed in rats and rabbits at oral doses of up to 2000 and 500 mg/kg/day, respectively, and in both species at intravenous doses of up to 200 mg/kg/day, and have revealed no significant evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to famotidine. While no direct fetotoxic effects have been observed, sporadic abortions occurring only in mothers displaying marked decreased food intake were seen in some rabbits at oral doses of 200 mg/kg/day (about 49 times the recommended human dose of 80 mg/day, based on body surface area) or higher. There are, however, no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproductive studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Adverse events
Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.
- nausea7,618
- fatigue7,141
- diarrhoea6,792
- chronic kidney disease6,787
- drug ineffective6,630
- off label use5,531
- dyspnoea5,446
- headache5,184
- pain4,773
- acute kidney injury4,767
- vomiting4,662
- dizziness4,440
- renal failure4,165
- death3,812
- pneumonia3,607
- asthenia3,460
Adverse reactions (label)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions are: headache, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of famotidine for oral suspension has been established based on adequate and well-controlled studies of another oral famotidine product [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. The following is a summary of the adverse reactions reported in those studies. Oral famotidine was studied in 7 U.S. and international placebo- and active-controlled trials in approximately 2500 patients [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . A total of 1442 patients were treated with famotidine, including 302 treated with 40 mg twice daily, 456 treated with 20 mg twice daily, 461 treated with 40 mg once daily, and 396 treated with 20 mg once daily. The population was 17 to 91 years old, fairly well distributed between sex and race; however, the predominant race was White. The following adverse reactions occurred in greater than or equal to 1% of famotidine-treated patients: headache, dizziness and constipation. The following other adverse reactions were reported in less than 1% of patients in clinical trials: Body as a Whole: fever, asthenia, fatigue Cardiovascular: palpitations Gastrointestinal: elevated liver enzymes, vomiting, nausea, abdominal discomfort, anorexia, dry mouth Hematologic: thrombocytopenia Hypersensitivity: orbital edema, rash, conjunctival injection, bronchospasm Musculoskeletal: musculoskeletal pain, arthralgia Nervous System/Psychiatric: seizure, hallucinations, depression, anxiety, decreased libido, insomnia, somnolence Skin: pruritus, dry skin, flushing Special Senses: tinnitus, taste disorder Other: impotence Pediatric Patients Less Than 1 Year of Age In a clinical study in 35 pediatric patients less than 1 year of age with GERD symptoms, two patients discontinued due to adverse reactions. Agitation observed in 5 patients resolved when famotidine was discontinued [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of famotidine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular: arrhythmia, AV block, prolonged QT interval Gastrointestinal: cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis Hematologic: agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, leukopenia Hypersensitivity: anaphylaxis, angioedema, facial edema, urticaria Musculoskeletal: rhabdomyolysis, muscle cramps Nervous System/Psychiatric: confusion, agitation, paresthesia Respiratory: interstitial pneumonia Skin: toxic epidermal necrolysis/Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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