How PEPCID® works
It quickly helps reduce acid production to prevent heartburn
Watch PEPCID® Mechanism of Action (MOA)
See how PEPCID® works to provide fast, on-demand relief.
PEPCID® (Famotidine) starts to work rapidly and provides relief that lasts all day or all night*’
After a meal, gastrin stimulates the release of histamine in the gut. Histamine binds to histamine-2 (H2) receptors on the parietal cells, leading to gastric acid release.1
PEPCID® binds to histamine H2 receptors on the parietal cell surface, blocking histamine from stimulating those receptors. PEPCID® also suppresses histamine-induced secretion of basal gastric acid.1
Clinical Implications of PEPCID® Mechanism of Action (MOA)
This MOA means PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® reduce acid production effectively, whether taken before,† during, or after meals—whenever patients anticipate or experience symptoms.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) work differently than PEPCID®
PPIs penetrate the parietal cell membrane and inhibit the acid secretion proton pumps that are triggered by food. After this, parietal cells must produce new proton pumps or reactivate resting ones to generate more acid.2
Due to this MOA, research has shown that optimal therapeutic results may require time-sensitive dosing (taken on an empty stomach but followed by a meal).3,4
Heartburn vs GERD: PEPCID® works fast to relieve heartburn and provides lasting relief.
PEPCID® is not indicated for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Study looked at duration of heartburn relief
A clinical trial showed that even 4 hours after taking PEPCID AC®, patients who ate a symptom-inducing meal experienced significantly reduced heartburn, and symptom protection continued for another 4 hours.5
*Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.
†Prevents heartburn if taken 15 to 60 minutes before a meal.
References:
1. Nugent CC, Falkson SR, Terrell JM. H2 Blockers. [Updated 2020 Mar 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan. Accessed March 25, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525994/
2. Vanderhoff BT, Tahboub RM. Proton Pump Inhibitors: An Update. Am Fam Physician. 2002;66:273-80.
3. Hatlebakk JG, Katz PO, Camacho-Lobato L, Castell DO. Proton pump inhibitors: better acid suppression when taken before a meal than without a meal. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000;14(10):1267-1272.
4. Domingues G, Moraes-Filho J. Noncompliance is an impact factor in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;8(7):761-765. doi:10.1586/17474124.2014.911660
5. Mann SG, Cottrell J, Murakami A, et al. Prevention of heartburn relapse by low-dose famotidine: a test meal model for duration of symptom control. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1997;11:121-127.