Can you take famotidine while pregnant?

Heartburn is an outcome of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); this is also labelled as acid reflux. These conditions occur at the top portion of your gastroesophageal tract. People who are of excessive weight are more likely to have it. Also, if you have been taking drugs like tricyclic antidepressants, Calcium Channel Blockers, ibuprofen or naproxen may get it. It is chiefly due to improper closure of a valve at the bottom of your food pipe. Drugs like famotidine are used for GERD. But can you take famotidine 20 mg while pregnant? It is useful to have added insights into this.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux may lead to undigested food items from your tummy to get back to your food pipe. Frequent occurrence of acid reflux can damage your teeth and can also cause chest pain. GERD can also cause incessant coughing, swelling of your voice box and may trigger breathing problems.

It is a good practice to keep away from intake of greasy or fried food items. It is helpful to refrain from taking alcohol or coffee. In some cases, doctors may also tell you not to eat chocolate. In general, foods that are acidic in nature can worsen your gastric condition.

GERD / acid reflux can be treated through multiple approaches; these include changing your everyday habits and by intake of meds. As an added precaution, never go to sleep within 150 minutes after taking food. You are also advised never to overeat and to stop smoking tobacco-based products.

What is famotidine?

This medication belongs to a genre called histamine-2 blockers. These are essentially taken for the treatment of acid reflux. Key chemicals present in such meds help decrease the quantum of digestive acids present in the stomach. Famotidine is used for disorders or diseases triggered by excessive production of acids in the gastric system.

This drug is administered together with dietary changes. It is highly recommended to discontinue the intake of oily or spicy foods. If you have conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis, your caregiving team must know of such conditions.

Can you take famotidine while pregnant?

Administration of famotidine during pregnancy is advised only if you need this drug. Your caregiver is likely to prescribe only when the merits outweigh risks. Studies done on animals did not yield substantial evidence on damages to fetus. As the essential ingredients pass through the placenta, likely impairment can occur.

As per the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), it is categorised as B1 and per US-based FDA, it is rated as B-category drug. B1 category refers to only a restricted number of women of childbearing-age or pregnant have used this drug without indirect risks to fetus.

On the other hand, B-category indicates research done has revealed no major risks to fetus. Also, it denotes that no controlled studies have been done on women who are pregnant.

Owing to these, it is a good thing to talk to your caregiver if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are already pregnant. Those who are nursing an infant must tell their doctor about their breastfeeding responsibilities. The active chemicals used in famotidine are known to pass through mother’s milk. Hence, you may be advised to stop using this med while you are nursing your baby.

In general, adults weighing above 40 kgs, dosage of 20 mg is administered two times each day. Typical dosage includes a morning dose and another dose before you go to sleep. If you observe adverse effects like difficulties to pass stools, spells of dehydration, migraine, cramping of muscles, etc., you are advised to speak with your caregiver without much delay. Lastly, if you aim to understand more about can you take famotidine 20 mg while pregnant, it is a safe thing to talk to your caregiving team.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.