Axid vs. Pepcid

• Are Axid and Pepcid the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Axid?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Pepcid?
• What Is Axid?
• What Is Pepcid?
• What Drugs Interact with Axid?
• What Drugs Interact with Pepcid?
• How Should Axid Be Taken?
• How Should Pepcid Be Taken?

Axid (nizatidine capsules) and Pepcid (famotidine) are H2-blockers used to treat duodenal ulcers.

Pepcid is also used to manage heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Pepcid is available over-the-counter (OTC) as a generic.

Side effects of Axid and Pepcid that are similar include headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Axid that are different from Pepcid include rash, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough.

Side effects of Pepcid that are different from Axid include constipation, fatigue, weakness, mood changes, insomnia, muscle pain or cramps, joint pain, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting.

Both Axid and Pepcid may interact with alcohol, other stomach acid reducers, and aspirin.

Pepcid may also interact with atazanavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, cefditoren, dasatinib, delavirdine, and fosamprenavir.

Common side effects of Axid include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• rash,
• diarrhea,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat, or
• cough.

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Axid including:

• pale skin,
• lightheadedness,
• shortness of breath,
• rapid heart rate,
• unusual bleeding,
• fever,
• confusion,
• breast swelling and soreness (in males), or
• yellowing skin (jaundice).

Common side effects of Pepcid include:

• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• mood changes,
• headache,
• insomnia,
• muscle pain or cramps,
• joint pain,
• dry mouth,
• nausea, or
• vomiting.

Axid (nizatidine) Capsules are a histamine antagonist indicated for up to 8 weeks treatment of active duodenal ulcer. In most patients, the ulcer will heal within 4 weeks. Axid is available in generic form.

Pepcid (famotidine) is an H2-blocker used to treat and prevent recurrence of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Pepcid is also useful in managing heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pepcid is available as a generic drug.

Axid may interact with aspirin, alcohol, cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Axid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while taking Axid is not recommended. The safety and effectiveness of Axid has not been determined for the pediatric population.

Pepcid may interact with atazanavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Axid is available in pulvules in strengths of 150 and 300mg; dosage is determined by the severity of the disease being treated. Prior to treatment, care should be taken to exclude the possibility of malignant gastric ulceration.

Pepcid (famotidine) dosage depends on the condition being treated.