Two medicines, side by side
Famotidine vs calcium carbonate
Famotidine and calcium carbonate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Pharmacies paid $0.0289 per famotidine 20 mg tablet and $0.0315 per tablet (Antacid ex-str 750 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 calcium carbonate FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 5, 2024).
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 calcium carbonate record
Calcium carbonate · label of December 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves • heartburn • acid indigestion • sour stomach • upset stomach associated with these symptoms
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0315 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Famotidine label of February 6, 2026, Calcium carbonate label of December 5, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do famotidine and calcium carbonate differ on the record?
Generics: famotidine since 2001; calcium carbonate none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Famotidine | Calcium carbonate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| 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) | $0.0315 per tablet (Antacid ex-str 750 mg tablet chewable) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -0.8% |
| 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 | 66,848 |
| 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