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How Long Can I Stay on Famotidine?
Through an endoscopy & colonoscopy, the pathology lab diagnosed that I have chronic gastritis in Feb 2025. I went back to my gastro for an appointment to ask questions. He told me I have nothing to worry about b/c he didn't see anything in my stomach area that looked like evidence of chronic gastritis, which concerned me even more. I changed my diet (which was fairly "clean" to begin with) and stayed on that regimen for a year.
A few months ago, I fell off the wagon and began eating more spicy foods (which I've always loved), wheat (I'd been G/F for 10 years, and more sweets. I shouldn't have done that. Two weeks ago, I started experiencing indigestion. I immediately changed to a bland diet and hoped for the best but it didn't go away.
I began taking Pepcid (not the AC one) and I noticed a big difference the following day, so I stayed on that twice a day for a week, at which time I tried weaning myself off with only one Pepcid per day.
I'm not still having the daily indigestion I had but feel little twinges of it every once in a while, so I don't think I'm ready to stop the Pepcid completely. The bottle says to only stay on it for up to two weeks.
I've talked to others who say they've been on it for up to 5 years with no problems.
My questions are:
1, Has anyone here taken Pepcid longer than two weeks at a time?
2. Timeframe for healing from a gastritis flare? Two weeks? A month?
3. Should I maybe ask for another endoscopy to be done by a new gastro to confirm the 2024 pathology report?
Thanks for any help anyone can give.
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@fourof5zs Thank you for chiming in with what has worked and not worked. It's always informative to have input from others who are on the same path. Best to you!
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2 ReactionsPepcid belongs to the H2 blocker category along with the no longer available Zantac. I have been on an H2 blocker for about 35 years to control acid reflux. I began with Zantac and when that was taken off the market many years ago, it was replaced by my GI doc, by Pepcid. Unlike other meds used for acid reflux which are in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) category, Pepcid has been found to be safe for long term use according to my GI team.
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2 Reactions@bamtongue1942 Thank you for your information!
I guess my original concern with the continued Pepcid use was that if I curtail the acid production, would that maybe cause other digestive issues, such as worsening of IBS-C, or lack of breaking down food nutrition.
There are maybe no definitive answers to these concerns but I just want to put it out there to see if anyone has experience with these. Thanks again!
@dks I do not think there is any evidence that Pepcid would affect any of your issues but you might check ChatGPT for more definitive answers. Also, have you read any of the Pepcid literature that is giving you any concerns? I have a very sensitive GI system and have never in almost 30 years had any problems with Pepcid.
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2 Reactions@bamtongue1942 Great news, thank you so much!
@mitch4444 I feel for you. I have acid reflux. I have taken Pepsi but can't take it in the morning because I take thyroid meds. I took in the evening. The box says to take 20mg .I wonder if 40 would help.. I think its better than some options out there. I'm off coffee, soft drinks and pizza.
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