Famotidine is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to prevent or treat conditions related to excess stomach acid production.
Famotidine is used:
- to treat active duodenal ulcer in adults and some children
- lower the risk of duodenal ulcer reoccurring in adults
- to treat active gastric ulcer in adults and some children
- to treat types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and some children
- to treat erosive esophagitis due to GERD in adults
- to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) in adults
- to prevent or treat heartburn from acid reflux in adults and some children
There are several brand name forms of famotidine: Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete, and Zantac 360. They all contain the active ingredient famotidine.
The cost of famotidine may vary based on the strength, dosage form and your treatment plan. It may also depend on whether you’re taking the prescription or over the counter version of famotidine.
For more information about famotidine’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about famotidine:
- Drug class: histamine-2 receptor blocker
- Drug forms:
- oral tablet
- oral liquid solution
- solution for IV injection by a doctor or another healthcare professional
- Brand-name versions: Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete, Zantac 360
Read on to learn about famotidine and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Famotidine can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on the cost of receiving famotidine injections by your healthcare professional.
The cost of famotidine may also be different for over the counter versions, versus prescription famotidine.
To find out what the cost of famotidine will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
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Insurance considerations
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive famotidine.
Prior authorization. If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers prescription famotidine in some cases. This means the company and your doctor will discuss famotidine in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the prescription version of the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of prescription famotidine. You can ask your insurance company whether prescription famotidine requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage. Famotidine injection is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your famotidine injection doses may be billed through your primary health insurance instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance. This depends on your insurance coverage and where you receive your famotidine injection doses, such a clinic, or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Famotidine is also available over the counter (OTC). Depending on your insurance plan, the cost of famotidine OTC versions may not be covered. You can talk with your insurance provider about coverage for OTC versions of famotidine.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and famotidine.
How much do the 40-mg and 20-mg famotidine tablets cost?
The cost of famotidine 20 milligrams (mg) or 40 mg tablets depends on several factors. Famotidine 20 mg tablets are available in both prescription and over the counter versions. Your cost may depend on which version you’re taking and if you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket.
Famotidine 40 mg is a prescription tablet. Your cost may vary based on if you have insurance coverage, or you’re paying out of pocket.
Other price factors may include:
- the condition it’s being used to treat
- your dose
- your treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
- whether there are any cost savings coupons available
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for details about the cost of famotidine 20 mg and 40 mg tablets to treat your condition. Talk with your pharmacist about any cost differences between OTC and prescription versions.
What’s the cost of famotidine liquid solution?
The cost of famotidine liquid suspension varies based on whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket. It also depends on your dosage of the drug.
Typically, the cost may be higher when paying out of pocket.
With insurance coverage, your cost may depend on if you have to pay a percentage of the total drug cost or have a set copay (your cost share).
If you’re paying out of pocket, your cost can also depend on the pharmacy you use.
Your pharmacist can give you an idea of the cost of famotidine liquid suspension based on your treatment plan.
What’s the cost of famotidine and ibuprofen?
The cost of famotidine and ibuprofen depends on various factors. This includes whether you’re taking the brand name version called Duexis, or a generic version. Duexis is FDA approved to manage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and to lower the risk of getting upper gastrointestinal ulcers.
It’s possible your cost may be different if you take famotidine and ibuprofen separately instead of the combination version. Your cost may also depend on whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket for the drug.
Other factors which can affect cost include:
- your dose
- treatment plan
- the pharmacy you use
- if there are any cost savings programs available
Your pharmacist can tell you more about the cost of the combination drug ibuprofen and famotidine based on your treatment plan.
Famotidine is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Famotidine is available as the brand-name drugs Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete, and Zantac 360. These versions are available over the counter (OTC). If your doctor has prescribed famotidine and you’re interested in using an OTC version such as Pepcid AC, Pepcid Complete, or Zantac 360 instead, talk with your doctor. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover prescription famotidine.
To find out how the cost of these brand-name drugs compared with the cost of prescription famotidine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
In some cases, you may take famotidine long term. If your doctor prescribes prescription famotidine for long term use, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of prescription famotidine. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Prescription famotidine may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options for prescription famotidine that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for prescription famotidine, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and famotidine, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to famotidine. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for famotidine. Keep in mind, there may be cost differences between prescription and OTC versions of famotidine. Your pharmacist can tell you more about the differences in cost.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions with or without insurance.
- More details. For details about other aspects of famotidine, refer to this article.
- Information about your condition. For more information about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you can see our list of acid reflux and GERD articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.