Ibuprofen and Famotidine

Generic name: Ibuprofen and Famotidine [ eye-byoo-PROE-fen-& fa-MOE-ti-deen ]
Brand name: Duexis
Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 6, 2023.

Uses of Ibuprofen and Famotidine:

• It is used to treat arthritis. The famotidine may help to lower the risk of ulcers from NSAID use.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Ibuprofen and Famotidine?

• If you have an allergy to ibuprofen, famotidine, aspirin, NSAIDs, or any other part of ibuprofen and famotidine.
• If you are allergic to ibuprofen and famotidine; any part of ibuprofen and famotidine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever had asthma caused by a salicylate drug like aspirin or a drug like this one like NSAIDs.
• If you have any of these health problems: GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding or kidney problems.
• If you have heart failure (weak heart).
• If you have had a recent heart attack.
• If you have active bleeding.
• If you are taking any other NSAID, a salicylate drug like aspirin, or pemetrexed.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Cefditoren, dasatinib, delavirdine, or fosamprenavir.
• If you are having trouble getting pregnant or you are having your fertility checked.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take ibuprofen and famotidine if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy. You may also need to avoid ibuprofen and famotidine at other times during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to see when you need to avoid taking ibuprofen and famotidine during pregnancy.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with ibuprofen and famotidine.

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 ibuprofen and famotidine 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 Ibuprofen and Famotidine?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take ibuprofen and famotidine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• Have your blood work checked if you are on ibuprofen and famotidine for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with drugs like this one. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• If you smoke, talk with your doctor.
• If you have asthma, talk with your doctor. You may be more sensitive to ibuprofen and famotidine.
• The chance of heart failure is raised with the use of drugs like this one. In people who already have heart failure, the chance of heart attack, having to go to the hospital for heart failure, and death is raised. Talk with the doctor.
• The chance of heart attack and heart-related death is raised in people taking drugs like this one after a recent heart attack. People taking drugs like this one after a first heart attack were also more likely to die in the year after the heart attack compared with people not taking drugs like this one. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are taking aspirin to help prevent a heart attack, talk with your doctor.
• Liver problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• This medicine may raise the chance of a very bad brain problem called aseptic meningitis. Call your doctor right away if you have a headache, fever, chills, very upset stomach or throwing up, stiff neck, rash, bright lights bother your eyes, feeling sleepy, or feeling confused.
• If you are 65 or older, use ibuprofen and famotidine with care. You could have more side effects.
• NSAIDs like ibuprofen and famotidine may affect egg release (ovulation) in women. This may cause you to not be able to get pregnant. This goes back to normal when ibuprofen and famotidine is stopped. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking ibuprofen and famotidine, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is this medicine (Ibuprofen and Famotidine) best taken?

Use ibuprofen and famotidine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
• Do not take ibuprofen and famotidine for longer than you were told by 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 ibuprofen and famotidine. Talk with your doctor.
• Keep using ibuprofen and famotidine as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

Cimzia, aspirin, prednisone, ibuprofen, duloxetine, naproxen, Cymbalta, hydroxychloroquine, Humira, lansoprazole

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.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of high potassium levels like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; feeling confused; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feeling like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Depression or other mood changes.
• Ringing in ears.
• Change in eyesight.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Ibuprofen and Famotidine?

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:

• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Heartburn.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

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 Ibuprofen and Famotidine?

• 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.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time ibuprofen and famotidine is refilled. If you have any questions about ibuprofen and famotidine, please talk with the doctor, 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