Two medicines, side by side
Famotidine vs bismuth subsalicylate
Famotidine and bismuth subsalicylate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Pharmacies paid $0.0289 per famotidine 20 mg tablet and $0.0817 per tablet (Bismuth 262 mg tablet chewable) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the famotidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 6, 2026); the bismuth subsalicylate FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 3, 2023).
Highlights of the famotidine record
Famotidine (Pepcid) · label of February 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves 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
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 15, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 145 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0289 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Highlights of the bismuth subsalicylate record
Bismuth subsalicylate · label of October 3, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves travelers' diarrhea diarrhea upset stomach due to overindulgence in food and drink, including: heartburn indigestion nausea gas belching fullness
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0817 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Famotidine label of February 6, 2026, Bismuth subsalicylate label of October 3, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do famotidine and bismuth subsalicylate differ on the record?
Generics: famotidine since 2001; bismuth subsalicylate none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Famotidine | Bismuth subsalicylate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Diarrhea, Acid reflux and ulcers, Nausea and vomiting |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 15, 1986 | n/a |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2001 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 145 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0289 per tablet (Famotidine 20 mg tablet) | $0.0817 per tablet (Bismuth 262 mg tablet chewable) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 118,838 | 5,773 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to famotidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions