Details

Cimetidine is in a group of drugs called histamine receptor antagonists. Cimetidine works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces. Cimetidine is used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, and to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid. Cimetidine is also used to treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus and causes heartburn. Taking cimetidine may make you more susceptible to virus that can cause pneumonia. This has occurred most often in elderly people and in those with diabetes, a weak immune system, or chronic lung disease. Ask a doctor if it is safe for you to take cimetidine if you have diabetes asthma or a chronic lung disorder a weak immune system bone marrow suppression kidney disease or liver disease.

Typical Uses

Cimetidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and prevent them from coming back after they have healed. This medication is also used to treat certain stomach and throat (oesophagus) problems caused by too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, erosive oesophagitis) or a backward flow of stomach acid into the oesophagus (acid reflux disease/GERD). Decreasing extra stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as stomach pain, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. It can also prevent serious acid damage to your digestive system (e.g., ulcers, cancer of the oesophagus).

Side Effects

Stop using cimetidine and inform your doctor if you have cough, fever, chest congestion, trouble breathing red or blistering skin rash jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness feeling faint, light-headed, disoriented, or confused urinating less than usual irregular heartbeat or a rash.

Drug Interactions

•Cimetidine+atazanavir- Talk to your doctor before using atazanavir together with cimetidine. Combining these medications may interfere with the absorption of atazanavir and reduce its effectiveness. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
•Cimetidine+brexpiprazole- Cimetidine may increase the blood levels of brexpiprazole. This can make you more likely to develop side effects such as drowsiness, seizure, Parkinson-like symptoms, abnormal muscle movements, and low blood pressure. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
•Cimetidine+epirubicin- Using cimetidine and epirubicin can cause fever, chills, mouth sores, or bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
•Cimetidine+fosphenytoin- Ask your doctor before using fosphenytoin together with cimetidine. Using fosphenytoin with cimetidine may increase the effects of fosphenytoin. Contact your doctor if you experience twitching eye movements, slurred speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing.

Mechanism of action

Cimetidine belongs to a class of drugs commonly called H2 blockers. It works by reducing the amount of acid in your stomach.

Pregnancy Category : B