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| Pronunciation |
|
 (sye
MET i
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Tagamet®; Tagamet® HB
[OTC] |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Cimetidine® (Canada); Blocan (Mexico);
Cimetase® (Mexico); Cimetigal (Mexico); Columina (Mexico);
Novo-Cimetidine® (Canada); Nu-Cimet (Canada); Peptol®
(Canada); Ulcedine (Mexico); Zymerol (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Histamine H2 Antagonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to cimetidine, other H2
antagonists, or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and
small intestine.
- It can be used to prevent ulcers in people who have a history of
ulcers.
- It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- It is also used to treat hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison
syndrome).
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Cimetidine decreases stomach acid. It allows healing to occur in the
area of the ulcer.
- It also prevents damage and symptoms caused by stomach
acid.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- A liquid is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have
feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Stop tube feeding, flush tube, and give
liquid medicine. Flush tube well and start tube feeding
again.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. Medicines may not mix well
with other medicines. Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new
medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause increases
in stomach irritation.
- Avoid or limit smoking.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E if you have an ulcer. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling tired or sleepy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Diarrhea.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
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- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
- Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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