Sunday 29 July 2012

Pepcid Complete


Generic Name: famotidine, calcium, and magnesium (fam OH ti deen, KAL see um, mag NEE see um)

Brand Names: Dual Action Complete, Pepcid Complete


What is Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?

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


Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals that neutralize acid in the stomach.


The combination of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is used to relieve heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach.


Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.


What is the most important information I should know about Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?


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 this medication if you have trouble swallowing, vomiting with blood, bloody or tarry stools, or if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if you have nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual weight loss, wheezing or trouble breathing when you have heartburn, or if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months.


Do not use more than two tablets in 24 hours.

Stop using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if stomach pain continues or if you need to take this product for more than 14 days. You may have a more serious stomach condition that requires different treatment.


What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?


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 this medication if you have:

  • trouble swallowing;




  • vomiting with blood;




  • black, bloody, or tarry stools;




  • if you are allergic to famotidine or similar medications such as ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), or nizatidine (Axid).



Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if you have:



  • nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;




  • unusual weight loss;




  • wheezing or trouble breathing when you have heartburn; or




  • if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months.



If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to used famotidine, calcium, and magnesium, or you need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.


It is not known whether famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medication to treat a child younger than 12 years of age.

How should I take Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?


Use this medication 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.


The usual dose of famotidine, calcium, and magnesium is one tablet as needed, up to twice per day.


Do not use more than two tablets in 24 hours.

Stop using famotidine, calcium, and magnesium if stomach pain continues or if you need to take this product for more than 14 days. You may have a more serious stomach condition that requires different treatment.


In addition to taking this medication, other tips for managing heartburn include:



  • Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating.




  • Do not eat late at night, or just before bedtime.




  • Eat slowly and do not eat big meals.




  • If you smoke, quit smoking.




  • If you are overweight, lose weight.




  • Raise the read of your bed.




  • Wear loose fitting clothing around your stomach.



Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause heartburn, such as chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, some fruits and vegetables, and rich, spicy, fatty, or fried foods.


Store famotidine, calcium, and magnesium 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 nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fast heart rate, or fainting.


What should I avoid while taking Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?


Do not take famotidine, calcium, and magnesium together with regular famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC, Pepcid RPD) or another acid reducer; or


Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium) side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if:

  • your heartburn gets worse; or




  • you still have heartburn after 2 weeks of taking famotidine, calcium, and magnesium.



This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


What other drugs will affect Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium, and magnesium)?


Tell your doctor about all other medications you use. Famotidine, calcium, and magnesium can make it harder for your body to absorb certain drugs. Your other medications may not work as well if you take them with famotidine, calcium, and magnesium.


There may be other drugs that can interact with famotidine, calcium, and magnesium. 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.



More Pepcid Complete resources


  • Pepcid Complete Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Pepcid Complete Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Drug Images
  • Pepcid Complete Drug Interactions
  • Pepcid Complete Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Pepcid Complete - Add your own review/rating


  • Pepcid Complete MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

  • Dual Action Complete Prescribing Information (FDA)



Compare Pepcid Complete with other medications


  • GERD


Where can I get more information?


  • Your pharmacist can provide more information about famotidine, calcium, and magnesium.

See also: Pepcid Complete side effects (in more detail)


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