Famotidine brands with the fewest additives

Updated: May 10, 2017

If you landed on this page looking for heartburn/acid-reflux treatments, I've had better luck with the counterintuitive approach of increasing stomach acid along the lines of Chris Kresser's ideas (plus improving thyroid function). It's probably particularly important to learn the risks of PPI drugs like Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid.

While I wouldn't suggest famotidine for heartburn/GERD issues, I think it's probably safer than the PPI-based medications (it works as an H2 blocker instead), and has some properties that surprised me (see some discussion on septic shock, serotonin syndrome, antibiotic activity, carbonic anhydrase inhibition, parathyroid hormone reduction, and my favorite, glycogen storage). I'm experimenting with it for those types of effects, and "pulsing" my intake of it to avoid affecting stomach acid levels too much.

When looking for a brand to use, I did my usual approach of comparing the excipients in all the brands I could find. In this case they're all full of unpleasant stuff, so I had to settle for the lesser-evil of the name-brand Pepcid AC Maximum Strength tablets for two reasons:

  1. You avoid the polyethylene glycol and colloidal silica common in some of the other brands.
  2. The small tablet size along with the higher dosage (20mg) helps minimize the excipients-per-dose.

Pepcid AC should be readily available in drugstores, but if you'd like to compare ingredients further, here's the brands I found by category:

  • 10mg tablets (comparable to Pepcid AC Original Strength)
  • 20mg tablets (comparable to Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)
  • Chewable tablets (with calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, comparable to Pepcid Complete)

10mg tablets (comparable to Pepcid AC Original Strength)

CVS Health Acid Controller Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polyethylene glycol, synthetic red iron oxide, talc and titanium dioxide.

Equate (Walmart Brand) Acid Reducer Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, magenesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

Good Neighbor Pharmacy Acid Reducer (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • talc-free
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, indigo carmine aluminum lake FD&C blue no. 2, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 4000, pregelatinized corn starch, titanium dioxide.

HyVee Acid Reducer (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • talc-free
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, indigo carmine aluminum lake FD&C blue no. 2, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized corn starch, titanium dioxide.

Kroger (King Soopers Brand) Heartburn Prevention Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

Pepcid AC Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, red iron oxide, talc, titanium dioxide.

Rite Aid Acid Reducer Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

Smart Sense (Kmart Brand) Acid Reducer Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

TopCare Acid Reducer (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

Up and Up (Target Brand) Acid Reducer Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

Walgreens Acid Controller Original Strength (10mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, hypromellose, iron oxides, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin.

20mg tablets (comparable to Pepcid AC Maximum Strength)

CVS Health Acid Controller Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, polyethylene glycol, talc and titanium dioxide.

Equate (Walmart Brand) Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

HEB Acid Controller (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide.

Kirkland (Costco Brand) Acid Controller (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Kroger (King Soopers Brand) Heartburn Prevention Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide.

Member's Mark (Sam's Club Brand) Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Pepcid AC Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, talc, titanium dioxide.

Rite Aid Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Safeway Acid Controller Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Simply Right (Sam's Club Brand) Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Smart Sense (Kmart Brand) Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Up and Up (Target Brand) Acid Reducer Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose (monohydrate), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Walgreens Acid Controller Maximum Strength (20mg Tablets)
Positives:
(none)
Negatives:
  • contains silica / silicon dioxide
  • contains titanium dioxide
  • contains PEG (polythylene glycol)
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Famotidine, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, titanium dioxide

Chewable tablets (with calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, comparable to Pepcid Complete)

CVS Health Dual Action Complete Acid Reducer (10mg Chewables)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • titanium dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Cool mint flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aspartame, D&C red 7 calcium, dextrates, FD&C blue 1 lake, FD&C red 40 lake, flavor, glyceryl monostearate, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Berry flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aspartame, D&C red 7 calcium, dextrates, FD&C blue 1 lake, FD&C red 40 lake, flavor, glyceryl monostearate, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Pepcid Complete (10mg Chewables)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • titanium dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
  • talc-free
Negatives:
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Tropical fruit flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, cellulose acetate, corn starch, corn syrup solids, crospovidone, dextrose excipient, FD&C yellow no. 5 aluminum lake (tartrazine), FD&C yellow no. 6 aluminum lake, flavors, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, mineral oil, sucralose, triacetin.

Cool mint flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, cellulose acetate, corn starch, crospovidone, D&C yellow no. 10 aluminum lake, dextrose excipient, FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake, flavors, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, mineral oil, sucralose.

Berry flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, cellulose acetate, corn starch, crospovidone, D&C red no. 7 calcium lake, dextrose excipient, FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake, FD&C red no. 40 aluminum lake, flavors, gum arabic, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, mineral oil, modified starch, sucralose.

Simply Right (Sam's Club Brand) Dual Action Famotidine Complete (10mg Chewables)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • titanium dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Berry flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, anhydrous lactose, artificial berry flavor, aspartame, D&C red no. 7 calcium lake, dextrates, FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake, FD&C red no. 40 aluminum lake, glyceryl monostearate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Up and Up (Target Brand) Famotidine Complete (10mg Chewables)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • titanium dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Mint flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, anhydrous lactose, aspartame, dextrates, ferric oxide, glyceryl monostearate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, natural peppermint flavor, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Berry flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, anhydrous lactose, artificial berry flavor, aspartame, D&C red no. 7 calcium lake, dextrates, FD&C blue no. 1 aluminum lake, FD&C red no. 40 aluminum lake, glyceryl monostearate, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Walgreens Acid Controller Complete (10mg Chewables)
Positives:
  • silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
  • titanium dioxide-free
  • PEG (polythylene glycol)-free
Negatives:
  • contains talc
  • uses artificial colors
All ingredients:

Mint flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aspartame, dextrates, flavor, glyceryl monostearate, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, red iron oxide, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Berry flavor:

Famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aspartame, D&C red 7 calcium, dextrates, FD&C blue 1 lake, FD&C red 40 lake, flavor, glyceryl monostearate, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyacrylate dispersion, polysorbate 80, povidone, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, talc.

Load comments