Flurry of generic famotidine follows Pepcid patent loss

Drug Store News, May 21, 2001

Andrx, Ivax, Mylan, Par Pharmaceuticals and Teva began marketing famotidine, the generic equivalent of Merck's Pepcid, just days after the drug's patent expired April 15. Pepcid sales were well over $500 million in 2000.

Pepcid is used to treat ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Andrx and joint venture partner Carlsbad Technologies, Ivax, Mylan and Par are all marketing 20 mg and 40 mg tablets of the drug. Jerusalem-based Teva is also selling 20 mg and 40 mg famotidine in the United States and awaits FDA approval for the over-the-counter, 10mg version of the drug called Pepcid AC in the United States. Pepcid AC sales reached $120 million in the United States last year.