This sheet is about exposure to famotidine in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.
What is famotidine?
Famotidine is a medication that has been used to treat acid reflux (heartburn) or peptic ulcer disease. Famotidine lowers the amount of stomach acid that your body makes. A brand name for famotidine is Pepcid®.
Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.
I take famotidine. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
It is not known if famotidine can make it harder to get pregnant.
Does taking famotidine increase the chance of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if famotidine can increase the chance of miscarriage.
Does taking famotidine increase the chance of birth defects?
Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like famotidine, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Studies on the use of famotidine in pregnancy do not report an increased chance of birth defects.
Does taking famotidine in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?
Studies have not been done to see if famotidine can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).
Does taking famotidine in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?
It is not known if famotidine can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.
Breastfeeding while taking famotidine:
Famotidine gets into breast milk in small amounts. Famotidine has given to newborn infants in higher amounts than those found in breast milk. Taking famotidine while breastfeeding is not expected to cause problems in children who are nursing. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.
If a male takes famotidine, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?
It is not known if famotidine could affect male fertility (ability to get partner pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase the risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.
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