Famotidine and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2020

For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "This drug famotidine is horrible! I’ve tried most PPIs and H2 blockers with minimal success. The only thing that worked for my chronic throat clearing was Zantac. I was devastated when they pulled it. I thought famotidine would be a good replacement. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After 4 months of taking this drug, I developed horrible stomach pain with diarrhea. I was ready to call my GI doctor because I thought something was terribly wrong. Along with that, I was extremely agitated and anxious and could not sleep. I had to get a benzo from my primary to help with the agitation and anxiety. I started reading sites like this and stopped this horrible drug. I feel so much better and no longer feel like I’m going crazy."

• Tma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2020

For Indigestion "The most awful drug I ever taken. I started it 1 week ago. I feel like I'm having the flu, a lot of diarrhea, can't breathe. I feel like I'm going to pass out, a lot of anxiety attacks. I don't recommend this to anybody."

• Yah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2020

For Hiatal Hernia "Very bad experience with this drug famotidine. Almost instantly, I started having side effects: very severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea. I also had very bad cramps that led to diarrhea. Only minimally helps with GERD and acid reflux-related diseases."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2018

For GERD "Awful! Took this med for 5-6 weeks, explosive diarrhea and unable to control urinating. My throat often closed up when I tried to eat. Had to sleep sitting up; otherwise, I was awakened by insistent coughing, unable to get my breath several times each night. Dr didn’t believe this was the reason for all my symptoms till I took in information from Rx side effects."

• STA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2022

For Indigestion "I’m not one to leave reviews on anything, but I just got home from the ER tonight. The only thing they could come up with was E. coli in my stool. I started to think of what I’ve changed the past two weeks because that’s when my body literally began to shut down and show the horrible symptoms I’m experiencing now. It was like a “light bulb” moment for me… I started using this medicine at the exact time my issues began. I’m so thankful I found this forum to read and share my experience. OMG, I literally thought I was going to die this morning! I’ve experienced HORRIBLE anxiety, insomnia, doom and gloom feelings of hopelessness, SEVERE body aches, chest pain, twitching, diarrhea, and HORRIBLE stomach pain. I think it honestly just reached an all-time high in my body and caused me to have a breakdown. The doctors didn’t even think to mention it being a reason for anything I’ve been experiencing. DO NOT TAKE!"

• Sol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2020

For GERD "GERD - over-acidic stomach, did not have acid reflux. I've been taking Pepcid AC for years with good results. Acid issue was becoming worse, Dr. prescribed 40 mg famotidine, 1 x day. At first, it helped along with changing to a bland, non-fatty food diet (I lost 25 lbs, hoping to lose another 10). Advised Dr. of waning relief, he increased the dosage to 2 x day. I experienced worse effects, acidic stomach along with diarrhea, bloating/gas if I ate/cheated on diet (1 whole egg instead of just the whites). Same reaction to other spicy or fatty foods in small quantities, not whole meals. Went back to 1 x day for a week, then I stopped taking the medication for one day and felt better, no excessive acid after eating 6 oz of steak. Previously, under the med, a hamburger caused the worsened symptoms. Will stay off the med and continue with diet and limited intake of fatty & spicy foods. Will drop the med if things continue to improve without it."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2020

For GERD "Took one chewable tablet of Pepcid Complete for my GERD. It helped with the stomach acid, but about two hours later, I had strong intestinal cramping and diarrhea, which thankfully lasted only about a half hour afterward."

• LMM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2021

For Stomach Ulcer "This med really aggravated my IBS, and I certainly wouldn't recommend that anyone with this condition take it. I experienced terrible bloating and severe gas pains (like IBS on steroids) and eventually diarrhea. Was told by doc to use this for a suspected large ulcer and possible herniation, and ultimately, it didn't help much at all with that. Can't get in to see a gastroenterologist until September, but in the meantime, no way will I use this again! Also, since I have had issues with diverticulitis as well, can't chance this awful drug again."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2021

For Peptic Ulcer "Started taking this for a month, 40 mg twice a day for gastritis. Noticed a lot of anxiety after taking it. Plus hallucinations, dizziness, feeling tired. Plus shoulder joints and back hurts. Had heart palpitations. Having hot flashes also. I've cut it down to when I need it. I pretty much feel back to normal again. Med works, just not worth the side effects. PPIs mess with your absorption of food. You don't get all your nutrients. I think it's messed up my gut. Diarrhea more than usual. Wish I never started it."

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

For Urticaria "I have had stomach pain, uneasiness, and awful gurgling sounds in my belly for days. Diarrhea also. Just an overall unwell feeling after being on this for 3 days. My doctor put me on it to boost my Zyrtec and Allegra meds. I'm throwing them away tonight."

• doy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2021

For GERD "Took it for COVID nausea/GERD and felt super drowsy 30 min. after taking it. Then anxious and paranoid for the rest of the night. My stomach was super bloated with tons of gas and pains more than without it. I've had diarrhea this morning, cried, and had a heart palp. My son took some last night as well and burped so much. Even though the half-life says 2-3 hours, I definitely believe that the side effects last longer. Drinking lots of water to get this crap out of my system. This stuff should be discontinued. Our pedi even said there were no side effects with this... everything has a side effect. Was $20 too."

• Kar...
• April 7, 2021

For GERD "I started taking this medication 3 days ago, and I’ve had really bad side effects. I’ve had diarrhea, headaches, anxiety right after I take it, and joint pain, especially in my arm and my back. My doctor said I had to continue taking this medication, as it has been helping with my stomach acid, but it takes me a while to not feel the side effects of this medication."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2022

For GERD "I was prescribed 20+20 mg for GERD. The first few days appeared great, considerably lessened symptoms, but on day 2 came the runs. Like a sudden need for the toilet, and then the worst diarrhea you can imagine. My GP recommended continuing with the medication as typically the diarrhea might go away, but it didn't. Then started the headache, a throbbing nightmarish pain, and with GERD, it's not like you want to take pain relievers for your already inflamed esophagus... do put up with it. And finally, after a few more days, a nausea. Constant feeling like you're going to throw up. That's it for me, swapping one symptom for three! I preferred the GERD!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2025

"Ibuprofen taken sparingly, ruined my gut. Doctor suggested 40 mg at night, I took 20 mg. First night, it seemed to help, second night, woke with pain. Stopped taking it, a day later, the diarrhea started. It is worth a try taking this, I guess. It works for some people, just not for me. I have anxiety, but this did not make it worse. When our stomach is inflamed, we make less acid, so reducing it more is not allowing food to digest, and that irritates the gut. Slippery elm seems to help without side effects."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2021

For Laryngopharyngeal Reflux "Gave me extreme cramps and diarrhea, waking me up in the middle of the night. HORRIBLE medication."