Famotidine is a medication used to manage stomach and intestinal ulcers. It can also be used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition in which your stomach produces excessive amounts of acid. According to Drugs.com, it belongs to a class of medicines called histamine 2-receptor blockers. Specifically, famotidine reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, famotidine can cause such common side effects as diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, a headache and irritability (in babies). Drugs.com says that famotidine can also cause nausea, vomiting, joint pain and muscle pain. If these symptoms don't subside within 4 to 5 days, consult your physician.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com says that famotidine can cause more serious effects such as tachycardia (fast heartbeat), easy bleeding or bruising, confusion, hallucinations, headache, paresthesias (numbness and tingling), palpitations (pounding heartbeat), convulsions and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes). MedlinePlus says that famotidine may cause trouble breathing, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), hoarseness and swelling of your face, lips, throat and tongue. Notify your physician immediately if famotidine causes these side effects.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, famotidine's other side effects include fatigue, asthenia (physical weakness), dry mouth, anorexia and thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Famotidine can also cause leukopenia (low white blood cells), depression, anxiety, decreased libido (sex drive), tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and gynecomastia (development of breasts in males).
Additional Concerns
Avoid famotidine if you are allergic to its side effects. You may develop hives, swelling of your face, tongue or lips, and difficulty breathing. You should avoid taking famotidine with cimitedine, ranitidine or nizatidine, says Drugs.com. The combination alone can lead to the aforementioned side effects. Do not drink alcohol while taking famotidine. This may lead to further stomach irritation.
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