Two medicines, side by side
Famotidine vs sodium bicarbonate
Famotidine and sodium bicarbonate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of famotidine since 1986 and of sodium bicarbonate since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.0289 per famotidine 20 mg tablet and $0.154 per mL (Sodium bicarbonate 8.4% vial) (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 sodium bicarbonate an osmotic laxative.
Check it at the source: the famotidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 6, 2026); the sodium bicarbonate FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026).
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 sodium bicarbonate record
Sodium bicarbonate · label of August 4, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsRelieves acid indigestion heartburn sour stomach upset stomach associated with these symptoms
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 3, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.154 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 18
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Famotidine label of February 6, 2026, Sodium bicarbonate label of August 4, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do famotidine and sodium bicarbonate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, famotidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and sodium bicarbonate an osmotic laxative.
Generics: famotidine since 2001; sodium bicarbonate since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Famotidine | Sodium bicarbonate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers, Diarrhea |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Osmotic Laxative |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 15, 1986 | June 3, 1986 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2001 | November 9, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 145 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0289 per tablet (Famotidine 20 mg tablet) | $0.154 per mL (Sodium bicarbonate 8.4% vial) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 18 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 118,838 | 23,124 |
| 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