Medication: Famotidine

Your cat has been prescribed famotidine as an antacid for the treatment or prevention of stomach and intestinal ulcers or to manage acid refluxes.

Key points:
• There is no licensed veterinary preparation containing famotidine. Your veterinarian may have prescribed a human drug containing famotidine. Your veterinarian will explain the law relating to prescribing human drugs for use in animals.
• Dosage: once to three times daily.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian.

Name

• Famotidine (fam-oh-tih-deen).

Brand name

• There are no licensed veterinary products containing famotidine in the UK, Europe or US.

Class of medication

• H₂ receptor antagonist.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.

Your veterinarian has prescribed famotidine for the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers or ulcers of the upper intestinal tract. This medication may also be used as part of the treatment regime for treatment of gastric hyperacidity caused by mast cell tumors or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or for severe reflux esophagitis. Some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may cause stomach ulcers as an unwanted side-effect, and so famotidine may be given concurrently to prevent side-effects from these types of medication. Famotidine works by reducing the production of acid in the stomach.

Famotidine is given orally (as tablets). It is usually administered once to three times daily; your veterinarian will advise. Tablets can either be administered directly into your cat’s mouth or along with some food.

There is little data regarding the side-effects of famotidine in cats at recommended doses. In cases of massive overdose, vomiting, restlessness, pallor or redness of the gum, hypotension or collapse may be seen. In humans there have been reports of fatigue and diarrhea.  

Speak to your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Famotidine tablets should be administered according to your veterinarian’s instructions.

Dispose of any unused famotidine safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save famotidine for future use or give to other pets.

If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not give a double dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended dose in any 24-hour period.

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.

Famotidine should only be given to the cat that it has been prescribed for. If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally consumed by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

Your pet may need regular veterinary check-ups whilst on this medication. 

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on famotidine can be found on the package insert or via your veterinarian.

Europe & UK

• There are no veterinary products containing famotidine licensed for use in cats in the UK or Europe.

USA

• There are no veterinary products containing famotidine licensed for use in cats in the US.

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.