The Winn Feline Foundation awarded researchers at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine $19,668 to study continued use of famotidine in cats.
Although famotidine (brand-name Pepcid) is not FDA-approved for veterinary medicine, it’s commonly prescribed to prevent ulcers and treat gastritis, esophagitis and gastric or esophageal reflux. It’s also used to help prevent stomach and duodenal ulcers in animals with kidney failure.
Studies in other species have shown that the antacid may become ineffective if given daily over time.
So this University of Tennessee study, led by M. Katherine Tolbert, DVM, and Adesola Odunayo, DVM, will try to determine if changing the dosage can extend the effectiveness of long-term famotidine use in cats.
