Pepcid in Spain: Famotidine, Prescription Rules
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 4 November 2026
Pepcid is sold in Spain, but only one low-strength pack.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Pepcid is sold in Spain, but only as a small, low-strength heartburn pack. It needs no prescription. Stronger famotidine (famotidina) tablets do. This guide is by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, an English-speaking GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280) who sees patients by video in English and Spanish.
In short
- Pepcid is on sale in Spain as a low-strength pack for heartburn, without a prescription.
- Stronger generic famotidine, such as Famotidina Cinfa or Famotidina Normon, needs a Spanish prescription.
- Spanish Pepcid holds famotidine alone. It is not the same as US Pepcid Complete.
- Stop and see a doctor if you get black stools, severe vomiting, pain on swallowing or chest pain.
What is Pepcid called in Spain?
The ingredient is famotidine, written famotidina in Spanish. This time, the brand name also crosses over. CIMA, the database of the Spanish medicines agency (AEMPS), lists Pepcid as an authorised product. The Spanish box holds 6 or 12 pale pink tablets.
The box may still differ from the one you know:
- Spanish Pepcid contains famotidine only.
- US Pepcid Complete adds two antacids: calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
- In the US, Zantac 360 also contains famotidine.
- Old Zantac held ranitidine. It was removed from US and European markets in 2020.
- Generic boxes say Famotidina plus the maker, such as Cinfa, Normon, Aristo, Stada or Mabo.
- The letters EFG on a box mean it is a generic.
Do you need a prescription for famotidine in Spain?
It depends on the pack. Look on the box for sin receta (no prescription needed).
| Product in Spain | What it is | Prescription? |
|---|---|---|
| Pepcid | Low-strength tablets for heartburn and acidity | No |
| Famotidina Cinfa, Normon, Aristo, Stada, Mabo (EFG) | Higher-strength generic tablets | Yes |
Spanish Pepcid is for adults and teenagers over 16. The pharmacist may ask about your symptoms first. Did you take prescription famotidine at home? You will need a Spanish prescription for the stronger tablets. Our guide to medicines in Spain explains how pharmacies work here.
What is famotidine used for?
Famotidine is an H2 blocker. It lowers the amount of acid your stomach makes. Spanish Pepcid is for relief of heartburn and acidity. The prescription generics are licensed in Spain for:
- Stomach and duodenal ulcers, and stopping them coming back.
- Heartburn and acid coming back up into the throat.
- Inflammation of the food pipe caused by reflux (reflux oesophagitis).
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare condition with very high acid.
Famotidine is not always the first choice. The NHS says a doctor may suggest an H2 blocker, such as famotidine, if a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) does not help. Our heartburn page explains the options.
Who should not take famotidine without advice?
The Spanish Pepcid leaflet says to ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you:
- Have lost weight for no clear reason.
- Are middle-aged or older, with new stomach symptoms or symptoms that have changed.
- Have liver or kidney problems.
- Have trouble swallowing, or stomach discomfort that does not go away.
- Have had an allergy to another H2 blocker, such as cimetidine, nizatidine or ranitidine.
Famotidine can weaken some medicines. One is posaconazole oral liquid, used for fungal infections. Others are the cancer medicines dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib and pazopanib. MedlinePlus advises against mixing famotidine with other heartburn medicines unless a doctor says so. Tell the pharmacist about everything you take.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to a doctor first. Spanish Pepcid is not for under-16s. Several Spanish generic leaflets say famotidine should not be given to children. The most common side effect is headache. A serious allergic reaction is very rare.
When should you see a doctor?
The Spanish Pepcid leaflet limits self-treatment to 7 days. See a doctor if you are no better, or worse, by then. Stop it and get medical advice if you have:
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing.
- Severe vomiting.
- Black stools.
- Shortness of breath or chest pain.
Call 112 if you vomit blood, have chest pain, or have black stools with dizziness or fainting. Also call if your face or throat swells, or you struggle to breathe. Chest pain can come from the heart, even when it feels like heartburn.
Can I use a UK or US prescription for famotidine in Spain?
In practice, no. Spanish pharmacies refuse foreign prescriptions, including those from the UK and the US. A doctor licensed in Spain has to issue a Spanish private electronic prescription. Bring your old box or prescription to the visit. It shows the doctor what you took before.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Pepcid in Spain?
Yes. Pepcid is authorised in Spain as a low-strength heartburn pack, sold without a prescription. Stronger famotidine tablets need a prescription.
What is the Spanish name for famotidine?
Famotidina. Generic boxes show this name with the maker, such as Cinfa or Normon, and the letters EFG.
Is famotidine the same as omeprazole?
No. Famotidine is an H2 blocker, and omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Both lower stomach acid, but in different ways.
Can I take famotidine while pregnant?
Talk to a doctor first. MedlinePlus advises telling your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In an emergency, call 112.
Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion, where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation.
Getting a medical assessment
Dr. Yelamo offers urgent, non-emergency care by private video call, in English or Spanish. He works every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). He sees adults, children and pregnant patients. The Urgent Care video visit lasts 15 minutes and costs €50. He reviews your symptoms, warning signs and other medicines. A Spanish private electronic prescription is issued only where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Same-day appointments are available. Book a video visit with a doctor.
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Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following sources.
