Our question this week was:

Dr. Jon - Is the pepcid my veterinarian prescribes that same thing I can get at the store? She has had some stomach upset and gets 20 mg every day. It seems to have really helped her. I am buying it at their practice – (it is pretty cheap) but I wondered if it is the same medication that I see at Wal-Mart and other stores?

Debra H. – Baltimore, MD

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking if the Pepcid® medication that we used in dogs and cats is the same as what you can get at local stores. The answer is yes, it is exactly the same.

Pepcid® now comes in a generic formulation (which is even less expensive) called famotidine.

Famotidine is an anti-ulcer drug of the histamine receptor-2 (H-2) blocker class. Stimulation of H-2 receptors (targets) located on the cell membranes of stomach cells leads to secretion of gastric acid. By blocking these targets, stomach acid will not be secreted, allowing the ulcer time to heal.

This medication helps many dogs and cats with gastric upset or those that have been vomiting. It is also used on some pets that have not been eating as it may also help decrease nausea and stimulate eating.

Best of luck!


Dr. Jon



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