Pepcidine

Generic Name: Famotidine
Product Name: Pepcidine

Indication

Used in the treatment of a number of diseases associated with too much acid in the stomach:- duodenal ulcer (treatment and relapse prevention)- benign gastric ulcer- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome – unresponsive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (no more than 12 week duration of treatment)- oesophageal erosion (treatment and relapse prevention)- ulceration caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Action

Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum are caused (or worsened) by too much acid in the stomach. Pepcidine is a drug that blocks acid production by special cells in the stomach. Reducing the acid helps treat the symptoms of ulcers and reflux, and also helps the ulcers to heal. Pepcidine is helpful in preventing these problems from coming back as well.

Dose advice

Duodenal ulcerInitial therapy- one 40mg tablet to be taken at night- treatment should be continued for four to eight weeks, but if endoscopy reveals healing at an earlier time, treatment can be discontinuedMaintenance therapy- continue Pepcidine at dose of 20mg at night- this therapy can be continued for up to 12 monthsBenign gastric ulcer- one 40mg tablet at night- four to eight week duration of treatment, shorter if endoscopy reveals healingZollinger-Ellison syndromePatients with no prior antisecretory treatment- 20mg every six hours- adjust dose to patient needs- continue as long as clinically necessary- doses up to 800mg daily have been used with no significant adverse effectsPatients with prior H2-antagonist treatment- may start on higher dose than above, depending on prior duration of treatment and dose of other H2-antagonistGastro-oesophageal reflux disease/oesophageal erosionSymptomatic relief- 20mg twice dailyMaintenance therapy- 20mg twice daily- studies have not been continued for greater than 6 monthsRenal insufficiency dose adjustment- dose should be reduced by half, or dosing interval extended to 36-48 hours, in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

Pepcidine is generally well tolerated, but the following effects have been reported:- headache- dizziness- constipation- diarrhoea.

Uncommon side effects

Adverse effects reported more rarely include:- dry mouth- nausea/vomiting- abdominal discomfort- rash/itching skin- loss of appetite- fatigue- aching muscles/muscle cramps- hives.

For further information talk to your doctor.