| Brand Name | Tagamet |
| Generic Name | Cimetidine |
| Drug Class | Histamine H? receptor antagonist (H? blocker) |
| Availability | Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription |
| Manufacturer | Smith, Kline & French (now part of GlaxoSmithKline) |
| Indications | Treatment of active duodenal and benign gastric ulcers Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients after healing of active ulcers Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) Relief of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach |
| Type | Tablet |
| Doses | 300 mg |
| Route | Oral |
| Side Effects | Headache Dizziness Diarrhea Drowsiness Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men) with long-term use Confusion (especially in the elderly or severely ill) |
| Interactions | May interact with drugs metabolized by the liver's cytochrome P450 system, such as warfarin, phenytoin, and theophylline, potentially increasing their effects May reduce the absorption of drugs that require an acidic environment, such as ketoconazole |
| Overdose | Restlessness Confusion Agitation Hallucinations Seizures |
| Missed Dose | Take as soon as remembered unless it's close to the next dose |
| Contraindications | Known hypersensitivity to cimetidine or any component of the formulation |
| Alternatives | Ranitidine (Zantac) Famotidine (Pepcid) Nizatidine (Axid) Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole) |
| Co-Pay Assistance Program | Available |
| Patient Assistance Program | Available |
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Cimetidine finds application in management of gastric acid overproduction including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal tumors and Zollinger Ellison syndrome.
Cimetidine acts by inhibition of histamine receptors (H2) in the stomach, suppressing the production of acid and therefore preventing gastroesophageal reflux and curing ulcers.
The frequent side effects consist of headache, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea. It may on infrequent occasions lead to confusion or gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men).
Cimetidine is normally administered orally in form of a tablet or liquid. Dosage and frequency varies according to the condition being treated and therefore adhere to the prescriptions of the doctor.
Yes, Cimetidine comes in handy when treating heartburn and acid reflux, because it decreases the volume of acid in the stomach.
Cimetidine is the type of drug in term of pregnancy category B, i.e. generally safe in pregnancy, though you still need to consult with your healthcare professional before using.
In case you miss out on taking a dose, said dose should be taken immediately you remember unless you are about to take your next dose otherwise. Do not take two doses at once.
Yes, Cimetidine may produce an interaction effect with certain drugs including those that are used to treat blood clots, antifungal medications, and select antacids. Always provide your medical care provider with information on the other medications you are taking.
Typically, Cimetidine is effective in 1-2 hours and overcomes the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux, although it may need several days of use before healing ulcers or curing chronic GERD.
Yes, Cimetidine is usually used in the treatment of peptic ulcers so as to lower the amount of stomach acid in order to allow the healing ulcer to be more efficient.
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