Famotidine 40 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Stomach and duodenal ulcers – healing and preventing them from coming back; Acid reflux (GERD) – heartburn, sour burps and acid regurgitation.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.32 to ₹2.85 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famotidine Tablets IP 40 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 14 | ₹4.54 | ₹0.32 | 19 October 2026 |
| Facid 40 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 14 | ₹6.33 | ₹0.45 | 19 October 2026 |
| Blocacid 40 | Ipca Laboratories Ltd | 14 | ₹8.62 | ₹0.62 | 19 October 2026 |
| Topcid 40 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 14 | ₹10.66 | ₹0.76 | 19 October 2026 |
| Famocid 40 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 14 | ₹11.72 | ₹0.84 | 19 October 2026 |
| Ulcimax 40 | Cipla Ltd | 10 | ₹26.44 | ₹2.64 | 19 October 2026 |
| Famtac | Abbott | 14 | ₹39.96 | ₹2.85 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Stomach and duodenal ulcers – healing and preventing them from coming back.
- Acid reflux (GERD) – heartburn, sour burps and acid regurgitation.
- Heartburn and acid indigestion after spicy or heavy meals.
- Conditions where the stomach makes too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
How to take it
For ulcers, famotidine 40 mg is usually taken once a day at bedtime for 4 to 8 weeks; for reflux, 20 mg twice a day or 40 mg at bedtime as your doctor prescribes. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water, with or without food. To prevent heartburn from a meal, take it 15 to 60 minutes before eating. Do not take it for more than 2 weeks for indigestion without seeing a doctor, as persistent symptoms can hide an ulcer or other problem. Doses are lower in kidney disease.
Side effects
Common
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Constipation or diarrhoea.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe allergic reaction – hives, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Confusion, especially in older people or those with kidney disease.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
Safety information
Alcohol
There is no direct interaction, but alcohol increases stomach acid and delays ulcer healing. Keep it to a minimum.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Famotidine is used in pregnancy when needed; antacids are tried first.
Kidney problems
The dose is reduced if your kidneys are weak because famotidine is cleared by the kidneys; too much can cause confusion.
Liver problems
No dose change is usually needed, but tell your doctor about liver disease.
Children
Used in children only on a doctor's prescription, with the dose by weight. The 40 mg tablet is an adult dose.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due – then skip it. Do not take a double dose.
Interactions
- Medicines that need stomach acid to be absorbed – ketoconazole, itraconazole, atazanavir, some iron preparations – may work less well.
- Antacids (Gelusil, Digene) – fine to use, but take them 1 to 2 hours apart from famotidine.
- Other acid medicines (pantoprazole, omeprazole) – usually no need to combine; ask your doctor.
- Tizanidine – levels can rise; tell your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Famocid 40 before or after food?
Either, but for an ulcer it is usually taken at bedtime, and to prevent meal-related heartburn take it 15 to 60 minutes before the meal.
Famocid 20 vs Famocid 40 – what is the difference?
Both are famotidine. 20 mg is used twice a day for reflux or mild symptoms; 40 mg once at bedtime is the usual ulcer-healing dose. Your doctor decides based on your diagnosis.
Famotidine vs pantoprazole – which is better for acidity?
Pantoprazole (a PPI) blocks acid more strongly and heals ulcers faster, so it is the first choice for reflux disease. Famotidine (an H2 blocker) works faster for occasional heartburn, is useful at night, and is a good option when long-term PPI use is a concern.
Can I take Famocid 40 with alcohol?
There is no direct interaction, but alcohol stimulates acid and irritates the stomach, which undoes the benefit. Keep alcohol to a minimum while being treated.
Is famotidine a replacement for ranitidine?
Yes. After ranitidine (Zinetac, Aciloc) was withdrawn in many countries over an impurity concern, famotidine became the most-used H2 blocker. It works in the same way and is taken at a lower milligram dose.
Is Famocid 40 safe in pregnancy?
Famotidine is used in pregnancy when antacids are not enough, but only on your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can I take famotidine every day for a long time?
For indigestion, no more than 2 weeks without seeing a doctor. Longer courses are fine when a doctor is treating an ulcer or reflux and reviewing you.
Is famotidine available without prescription in India?
Famotidine tablets are Schedule H, so a chemist should ask for a prescription. Generic famotidine 40 mg is also available at Jan Aushadhi stores.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Famotidine (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms