Let's learn about a chewable tablet for gastritis and heartburn? (Famotidine Chewable Tablets)

Gastritis is a problem that many people in Sri Lanka have. When we don't eat on time, eat too much, or even when we are a little worried, we get heartburn and stomach acid. So, at times like these, we quickly take some medicine. Today, we are going to talk about a chewable pill that doctors recommend in such cases. That is Famotidine.

What is this medicine called Famotidine?

Simply put, famotidine is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces. It works like turning off the "acid tap" in our stomach. When this amount of acid is reduced, the discomfort we feel often goes away.

There are several main reasons why a doctor might give you this medication:

• Heartburn: This is the most common cause. It relieves the burning sensation that occurs when stomach acid comes up into the throat.
• Stomach Ulcers: In order for ulcers to heal, the amount of acid in the stomach needs to be low. This medicine can help with that.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is a condition in which acid constantly flows up into the throat. This medicine is also used to control it.
• Other conditions that cause excessive acid production: Some rare conditions also cause excessive stomach acid production. This is also given for these conditions.

This medicine is available in pharmacies in our country under various brand names. `(Pepcid AC)` is a popular brand name.

Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before using any medication, it is very important to inform your doctor about your health condition. Especially before taking famotidine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.

• If you have any kidney or liver disease.
• If you have a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU) , it is important to inform your doctor as these tablets may contain phenylalanine.
• If you have difficulty swallowing food .
• If you have previously had an allergic reaction to famotidine, another similar medicine, or a food.
• If you are pregnant, or are expecting a baby .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

With these things in mind, the doctor can determine exactly whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.

How exactly do you use this medicine?

This is a chewable tablet, so it is very simple to use.

Take the prescribed dose exactly as your doctor tells you, at the prescribed time. It is important to take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better. Do not take the medicine more often than you want.

Should I give this to small children?

In some cases, doctors also recommend this medicine for young children. However, this should be decided by a pediatrician. Therefore, great care should be taken when giving it to children.

What if I take too much medicine by mistake?

This is very important. If you have any suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a forgotten dose.

Other medications that may interact with this medicine

Some medications can change the way they work when taken with other medications. This is called a ``Drug Interaction''. There are medications that can interact with famotidine. Some examples are:

• Delavirdine
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole

This list is not complete. Therefore, when you go to see the doctor, tell him about all the medications you are taking. That means you should tell him about everything, such as medications for other diseases, vitamins, nutritional supplements, Ayurvedic medicines, traditional decoctions, etc. Also, tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol. Then the doctor can treat you in the safest way.

Things to be careful about when taking medication

• If your symptoms do not improve: If your symptoms do not improve despite taking the medicine, or if they seem to be getting worse, see your doctor again.
• Be careful with painkillers:If you have gastritis or stomach ulcers, taking painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen can make the condition worse. So ask your doctor before taking such medications.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol: Both of these irritate your stomach further, so if you have stomach ulcers, they may take longer to heal.
• Warning signs: This is very important. If your stools are black, tarry , or if your vomit looks like coffee grounds , it could be a sign of bleeding in the stomach. If this happens , seek medical attention immediately .
• Vitamin B12: Long-term use of this medication may reduce the body's absorption of vitamin B12. So talk to your doctor about your diet and the types of vitamins you take.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like all medications, this one can have minor side effects. But most people don't experience any. Let's see what these are.

If you experience any other unusual symptoms that are not on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.

How do you keep medicine safe?

• Keep away from children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture. Do not store medication in areas with high humidity, such as the bathroom.
• Check the expiration date and discard expired medication.