PEPCID® is a Histamine-2 blocker (H2 blocker) with the active ingredient famotidine. Famotidine helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.
PEPCID® offers three main products that provide heartburn relief that you can take whenever you need. Original Strength PEPCID AC® and Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® contain an H2 blocker that works fast and helps control acid all day or all night.* PEPCID Complete® combines an H2 Blocker with an antacid that starts neutralizing acid in seconds, so it works even faster. Because the faster it starts relieving heartburn, the better.
| Product | 
Original Strength PEPCID AC® |
Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® |
PEPCID COMPLETE® |
ZANTAC® |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Famotidine (Acid Reducer) | Famotidine (Acid Reducer) |
Famotidine (Acid Reducer) Calcium Carbonate (Antacid) Magnesium Hydroxide (Antacid) |
Ranitidine (Acid Reducer) |
| How it works | Reduces stomach acid production | Reduces stomach acid production |
Reduces stomach acid production *Neutralizes stomach acid |
Reduces stomach acid production |
| Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Prevents heartburn before it happens | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Starts to work in seconds* | Yes |
|||
| Form | Tablet | Tablet | Chewable Tablet | Tablet |
| Reduces acid production | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
*Starts to neutralize acid on contact ZANTAC® is a registered trademark of Sanofi Inc. |
||||
PEPCID VS. ZANTAC PRODUCT COMPARISON CHARTPEPCID® (famotidine) was authorized for sale by Health Canada in 1996 for treatment and prevention of heartburn. It has been available over-the-counter in 10 mg and 20 mg strengths since 1996 and 2007, respectively. PEPCID® AND ZANTAC® are approved for the same use. However, PEPCID® contains Famotidine. Unlike Zantac® and other OTC products that contain Ranitidine. | |
| Product |
Original Strength PEPCID AC® |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Famotidine (Acid Reducer) |
| How it works | Reduces stomach acid production |
| Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach | Yes |
| Prevents heartburn before it happens | Yes |
| Starts to work in seconds* | |
| Form | Tablet |
| Reduces acid production | Yes |
| Product |
Maximum Strength PEPCID AC® |
| Active ingredient | Famotidine (Acid Reducer) |
| How it works | Reduces stomach acid production |
| Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach | Yes |
| Prevents heartburn before it happens | Yes |
| Starts to work in seconds* | |
| Form | Tablet |
| Reduces acid production | Yes |
| Product |
PEPCID COMPLETE® |
| Active ingredient |
Famotidine (Acid Reducer) Calcium Carbonate (Antacid) Magnesium Hydroxide (Antacid) |
| How it works |
Reduces stomach acid production *Neutralizes stomach acid |
| Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach | Yes |
| Prevents heartburn before it happens | Yes |
| Starts to work in seconds* | Yes |
| Form | Chewable Tablet |
| Reduces acid production | Yes |
| Product |
ZANTAC® |
| Active ingredient | Ranitidine (Acid Reducer) |
| How it works | Reduces stomach acid production |
| Relieves heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach | Yes |
| Prevents heartburn before it happens | Yes |
| Starts to work in seconds* | |
| Form | Tablet |
| Reduces acid production | Yes |
| *Starts to neutralize acid on contact | ZANTAC® is a registered trademark of Sanofi Inc. |
