Two medicines, side by side
Famotidine vs lansoprazole
Famotidine and lansoprazole are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of famotidine since 1986 and of lansoprazole since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.0289 per famotidine 20 mg tablet and $0.106 per lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and lansoprazole a proton pump inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the famotidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 6, 2026); the lansoprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 24, 2025).
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 lansoprazole record
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) · label of June 24, 2025
Used for
From the label: indications• treats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) • not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 59 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 15
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Famotidine label of February 6, 2026, Lansoprazole label of June 24, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do famotidine and lansoprazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and lansoprazole a proton pump inhibitor.
Generics: famotidine since 2001; lansoprazole since 2009 (Drugs@FDA).
| Famotidine | Lansoprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Proton Pump Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 15, 1986 | May 10, 1995 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2001 | November 10, 2009 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 145 labelers | 59 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0289 per tablet (Famotidine 20 mg tablet) | $0.106 per capsule (Lansoprazole DR 30 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | +0.7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 15 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 118,838 | 177,061 |
| 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