Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide

Generic name: Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide [ fa-MOE-ti-deen, KAL-see-um-KAR-bun-ate, & mag-NEE-zhum-hye-DROKS-ide ]
Brand names: Dual Action Complete, Pepcid Complete
Drug class: H2 antagonists

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 17, 2024.

Uses of Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide:

• It is used to treat heartburn and sour stomach.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide?

• If you have an allergy to famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, or any other part of famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide.
• If you are allergic to famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide; any part of famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Black or bloody stools; heartburn with light-headedness, sweating, or dizziness; chest pain; shoulder pain with shortness of breath; pain that spreads to the arms, neck, or shoulders; light-headedness; sweating a lot; throwing up blood; or trouble or pain swallowing food.
• If you have high calcium or magnesium levels.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Cefditoren, dasatinib, delavirdine, or fosamprenavir.
• If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you have kidney problems or are elderly, talk with your doctor. Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there); seizures; and feeling agitated, confused, sluggish, or out of sorts have happened in people with kidney problems and in older people.
• Do not take famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide for more than 2 weeks unless told to do so by your doctor.
• If you are on a low-magnesium diet, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), talk with your doctor. Some products have phenylalanine.
• If you are 65 or older, use famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide with care. You could have more side effects.
• Do not give famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide to a child younger than 12 years old without first checking with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is this medicine (Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide) best taken?

Use famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Chew well before swallowing.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• This medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• A fast heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Muscle weakness.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about famotidine, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer