Heartburn Pill in Short Supply After Word of Covid-19 Trial

A generic pill used to treat ulcers, acid reflux and heartburn has been added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s list of drug shortages, just over a week after a report that famotidine was being tested in high intravenous doses as a potential treatment for Covid-19 patients.

Drugmakers including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Carlsbad Technology Inc. and Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. reported increased demand for the tablets, which are known in branded form as Pepcid.

Teva said several 100-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles were on backorder with expected recovery in the fourth quarter. Carlsbad reported to the FDA: “We ...