Two medicines, side by side
Metoclopramide vs famotidine
Metoclopramide and famotidine are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of metoclopramide since 1979 and of famotidine since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.0439 per metoclopramide 10 mg tablet and $0.0289 per famotidine 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, metoclopramide is a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist and famotidine a histamine-2 receptor antagonist.
Check it at the source: the metoclopramide FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 18, 2026); the famotidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 6, 2026).
Highlights of the metoclopramide record
Metoclopramide (Reglan) · label of May 18, 2026
TARDIVE DYSKINESIA
Metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially irreversible serious movement disorder. In patients treated with metoclopramide, including metoclopramide tablets, the risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Metoclopramide tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of TD.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetoclopramide Tablets USP are indicated for the: • Treatment for 4 to 12 weeks of symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal reflux in adults who fail to respond to conventional therapy. • Relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 7, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0439 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Metoclopramide label of May 18, 2026, Famotidine label of February 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do metoclopramide and famotidine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, metoclopramide is a dopamine-2 receptor antagonist and famotidine a histamine-2 receptor antagonist.
Only the metoclopramide label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: metoclopramide since 1985; famotidine since 2001 (Drugs@FDA).
| Metoclopramide | Famotidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers, Nausea and vomiting | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Dopamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | Metoclopramide stimulates motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract without stimulating gastric, biliary, or pancreatic secretions. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The mean elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function was 5 to 6 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 7, 1979 | October 15, 1986 |
| First generic approved | July 29, 1985 | April 16, 2001 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 39 labelers | 145 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0439 per tablet (Metoclopramide 10 mg tablet) | $0.0289 per tablet (Famotidine 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 76,710 | 118,838 |
| 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 metoclopramide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions