Famotidine Intravenous for Adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

Important information

• Unlicensed preparation

Available preparations

Famotidine 20mg per 2ml vial

Reconstitution

Already in solution

Dilute further prior to administration

Infusion fluids

Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5%

Methods of intravenous administration

Intermittent intravenous infusion (preferred route)

• Dilute 20mg with 100ml infusion fluid, and administer over 15 to 30 minutess

Slow intravenous injection

• Dilute each 20mg to a volume of 5 to 10ml with infusion fluid and administer over at least two minutes

Dose in adults

Usual dose

• Give 20mg every 12 hours until oral therapy can be introduced

Premedication of infusion reactions ^{(ref 1)}

• Give 20mg thirty to sixty minutes prior to infusion
• Usually given in conjunction with an H1 antihistamine and glucocorticoid

Prophylaxis of acid aspiration (Mendelson's) syndrome ^{(ref 1)}

• Give 20mg forty to ninety minutes before induction of general anaesthesia

Prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage from stress ulceration in seriously ill patients ^{(ref 1)}

• Give 20mg twice daily

Renal impairment

• Complete atrioventricular block has been reported in association with administration of famotidine injection ^{(ref 2)}
• Prolonged QT interval has been reported in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment ^{(ref 1)}
• The manufacturers advise that CNS adverse effects have been reported in patients with moderate and severe renal insufficiency
• For patients with CrCl <50 mL/minute: advise increase the dosing interval to 36-48 hours ^{(ref 1)}

Storage

Storage in a refrigerator at 2-8⁰C

References

SPC for Famotidine IV (Mylan) revised April 2022

1: UpToDate, accessed 07/05/2025

2: Complete Atrioventricular Block and Cardiac Arrest following Intravenous Famotidine Administration Anesthesiology 2 1999, Vol.90, 623-626. 

Therapeutic classification

H2-receptor antagonists