Long term side effects of using Pepcid AC to combat the Asian Flush?

October 22, 2006 6:36 PM

Long term side effects of using Pepcid AC to combat the Asian Flush?

This is a followup of sorts to this question posted awhile ago.

So I've been using this method for about a year now and it really does work. Take about 40mg-60mg of Pepcid AC Max Strength (2-3 pills) with water about an hour before food or drinks. It does prevent the redness from ocurring.

My question is, what are the long term side effects of taking this amount of Pepcid (famotidine) about 1-2 times a week? I've seen quotes of a study that said 300mg of Pepcid was being used to treat an ulcer with no real side effects - can that be trusted?

Any info, especially from doctors, would be greatly appreciated.

posted by MaverickX to health & fitness (4 comments total)

Forgot to mention, I do check this forum regularly for group support/tips.
posted by MaverickX at 6:37 PM on October 22, 2006

I'm not a doctor but I do have stomach problems (mild reflux and high acidity, coupled with irritable bowel syndrome).

For about four years I took 60 mg famotidine once a day (or sometimes 30 mg twice a day) every day, on the approval and prescription of my doctor. Whenever I needed some other medication (e.g. new antihistamines) she looked up the famitodine to make sure there were no possible interactions. There never were but she thought it was worth checking. I also never had any side effects or other problems. The reason I no longer take it is that my stomach problems are much less and I can now control them with diet alone.

So theres's one data point for you. The amount I was taking was apparently the highest amount she could prescribe, and I had to get regular refills because of this. My doctor never had any concern about prescribing it though, and when I changed doctors the new one didn't blink an eyelid at my dose. So you might want to talk to a doctor or pharmacist to make sure you're OK, particularly if you start taking something new. But you're probably fine.
posted by shelleycat at 6:52 PM on October 22, 2006

Check this. May or may not be relevant, but I had something similar.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:10 PM on October 22, 2006

Okay, MrMoonPie, your link totally freaked me out...
posted by MaverickX at 9:40 AM on October 23, 2006