Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause semi-digested foods from your stomach to enter into the food pipe. Repeated spells of this disease can cause corrosion of teeth, difficulties to swallow foods, etc. A few people may develop chronic episodes of coughing, inflammation of the larynx as well as respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis. If left untreated, GERD can cause internal swelling of your food pipe. Drugs such as famotidine are used as part of treatment plans. But do you know famotidine dosage for child? It can be useful to have needful inputs.
Acid reflux is one of the chronic gastric conditions. It affects the upper part of your gastroesophageal system. Those who are obese and intake of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), antidepressant drugs like benzodiazepines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), etc. may get this disease. Poor or partial closing of a sphincter present at lower part of your food pipe is one of the prime reasons for the onset of heartburn or acid reflux.
Options to treat GERD include a few changes made to your daily habits and administration of drugs. You are advised not to assume a sleeping posture for 3 hours after having a meal, to quit smoking, shed extra flab, etc. In some remote cases, a surgery is recommended.
It is highly recommended to stay away from taking foods like spicy and greasy foods, coffee, chocolate and alcohol. As a precautionary measure, refrain from eating excessive amounts of fried and acidic foods.
What is famotidine?
Histamine-2 blockers (H-2 blockers) are meds used for treating acid reflux. Their chief function is to reduce acids in your gastric tract. Famotidine is a key member of this genre. It is mainly taken for treating conditions caused by stomach acids. Doctors also prescribe it to treat ulcers on inner linings of intestines and stomach.
This med is often prescribed along with changes made to your diet and daily habits. In order to enhance its efficacy, it is essential to adhere to instructions of your caregiver. Moreover, if you have renal or liver-based disorders and an elongated QT cycle, you are advised inform your treating physician.
Famotidine dosage for child
No two individuals with GERD are advised to follow the same dosage plan. Dosing depends on age, severity of gastric condition and presence of other disorders. For treating heartburn, children weighing more than 40 kgs, a dose of 20 mg is offered twice per day. Such dosing is offered in the morning time and the next during nighttime.
In some cases, children weighing above 40 kgs are prescribed with a dose of 40 mg as a single dose. Such dosing is administered for 6 to 8 weeks. If remedial outcomes are partial, duration is extended to four more weeks. For children weighing less than 40 kgs, dosage is determined on a case-to-case basis.
Usually, the dosage value is 0.5 mg per kg of body weight. This is offered once per day. Famotidine may also be given as 0.25 mg per kg of your child’s weight; in such cases, it is administered as two (2) evenly distributed doses each day.
At no instance the maximum dosage for children must exceed 40 mg. If your child has missed a dose, administer a dose once you remember. But, if it is already time for the second dose, it is a safe thing to skip the dose you missed. It can be unsafe to administer a double dose of this drug.
Lastly, famotidine dosage for children is prescribed for conditions like ulcers – especially, peptic ulcers, indigestion or dyspepsia as well as GERD. It is used for other gastric conditions only if the treating physician of your child decides to do so. It is hence a safe thing to discuss with child’s doctor about famotidine dosage for child prior to start of treatment.
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
Education: Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Tufts University. Experience: 6 years of experience as a registered dietitian and freelance writer, creating content on nutritional science and weight management for various health websites.