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maximum strength

famotidine · maximum strength is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (over-the-counter) containing famotidine, made by Publix Super Markets Inc.

Type
Over the counter
Drug class
Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist
Route
Oral
Manufacturers
1

• relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach • prevents heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain food and beverages

Related recalls

FDA drug recalls that name this drug or its active ingredient

All drug recalls

Active ingredients

(in each tablet) Famotidine 20 mg

Purpose

Acid reducer

Uses

  • Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach
  • Prevents heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain food and beverages

Directions

  • Adults and children 12 years and over:
  • To relieve symptoms, swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water. Do not chew.
  • To prevent symptoms, swallow 1 tablet with a glass of water at any time from 10 to 60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that cause heartburn
  • Do not use more than 2 tablets in 24 hours
  • Children under 12 years: ask a doctor

Warnings

Allergy alert: Do not use if you are allergic to famotidine or other acid reducers Do not use

  • If you have trouble or pain swallowing food, vomiting with blood, or bloody or black stools. These may be signs of a serious condition. See your doctor.
  • With other acid reducers Ask a doctor before use if you have
  • Had heartburn over 3 months. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.
  • Heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness
  • Chest pain or shoulder pain with shortness of breath; sweating; pain spreading to arms, neck or shoulders; or lightheadedness
  • Frequent chest pain
  • Frequent wheezing, particularly with heartburn
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Kidney disease Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug. Acid reducers may interact with certain prescription drugs. Stop use and ask a doctor if
  • Your heartburn continues or worsens
  • You need to take this product for more than 14 days If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

Do not use

  • If you have trouble or pain swallowing food, vomiting with blood, or bloody or black stools. These may be signs of a serious condition. See your doctor.
  • With other acid reducers

Ask a doctor before use

  • Had heartburn over 3 months. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.
  • Heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness
  • Chest pain or shoulder pain with shortness of breath; sweating; pain spreading to arms, neck or shoulders; or lightheadedness
  • Frequent chest pain
  • Frequent wheezing, particularly with heartburn
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Kidney disease

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use

Taking a prescription drug. Acid reducers may interact with certain prescription drugs.

Stop use and ask a doctor

  • Your heartburn continues or worsens
  • You need to take this product for more than 14 days

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

Other information

  • Read the directions and warnings before use
  • Keep the carton. It contains important information.
  • Store at 68°-77°F (20°-25°C)
  • Protect from moisture

Inactive ingredients

Carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide

Forms and strengths

From the FDA NDC Directory · 1 product codes

Dosage formStrengthRouteNDCs
Tablet, film coated20 mgoral1

Side effect reports to FDA

FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), 116,803 reports that list famotidine, data through 07/30/2026

Anyone can report a problem to FDA, and a report does not mean the drug caused the problem. Reports can be duplicated or incomplete, and counts depend on how widely a drug is used. Do not stop or change a medicine because of this list. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Most often reported reactions

  • Nausea7,797
  • Fatigue7,352
  • Diarrhea7,013
  • Chronic kidney disease6,660
  • Drug ineffective6,551
  • Off label use5,672
  • Dyspnea5,608
  • Headache5,358
  • Pain4,873
  • Vomiting4,754

To report a side effect, use FDA MedWatch.

Manufacturers and labels

1 FDA label

  • Publix Super Markets IncShown hereANDA077351 · Label 08/21/2025 · NDC 56062-194Full label

maximum strength: common questions

What is maximum strength used for?
• relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach • prevents heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach brought on by eating or drinking certain food and beverages
Is maximum strength a prescription drug?
No. maximum strength is sold over the counter (OTC) without a prescription.
Are there other products with the same active ingredient as maximum strength?
Yes. Other FDA-listed products with the same active ingredients include Famotidine, Acid Reducer, Acid Controller, CareOne Acid Relief.
Who makes maximum strength?
Publix Super Markets Inc lists maximum strength with the FDA.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, openFDA drug label (SPL) and NDC Directory · Last updated 08/21/2025 · Label text is shown as published by the manufacturer. Not medical advice

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