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- $Unique_ID{BRK03087}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{cimetidine}
- $Subject{Tagamet SK-Beecham Gastric acid secretion inhibitor decreases
- stomach acid cimetidine duodenal gastric ulcers excessive stomach acid
- secretion recurrent ulcers gastro-esophageal reflux stomach esophagus
- heartburn histamine}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Tagamet 200 mg*0308701.scf
- Tagamet 300 mg*0308702.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- cimetidine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Tagamet (SK-Beecham)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Gastric acid secretion inhibitor (decreases stomach acid)
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- cimetidine
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg)
- Oral liquid (300 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 2.8% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Cimetidine tablets and oral liquid should be stored at room temperature
- in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. This medication should never
- be frozen. If cimetidine is not properly stored (especially if it is exposed
- to light or heat) it may develop a strong, unpleasant odor.
-
- USES
-
- Cimetidine is used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers. It is also used
- in the long-term treatment of excessive stomach acid secretion and in the
- prevention of recurrent ulcers. It is also used to treat gastro-esophagal
- reflux (backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus), which can cause
- heartburn. Cimetidine works by blocking the effects of histamine in the
- stomach, which reduces stomach acid secretion.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Take cimetidine with, or shortly after, meals and again at bedtime
- (unless your doctor directs otherwise).
- The tablets should not be crushed or chewed, because cimetidine has a
- bitter taste and an unpleasant odor.
- The oral liquid should be measured carefully with a specially designed
- 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- Antacids can block the absorption of cimetidine. If you are taking
- antacids as well as cimetidine, at least one hour should separate doses of the
- two medications.
- If you miss a dose of cimetidine, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do
- not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, or muscle pain. These side
- effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- confusion, fever, hair loss, enlarged or painful breasts (in both sexes),
- hallucinations, impotence, palpitations, rash, sore throat, unusual bleeding
- or bruising, weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Cimetidine interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. It can decrease the elimination, and thus increase the side effects,
- of theophylline, aminophylline, oxtriphylline, phenytoin, carbamazepine, beta
- blockers, benzodiazepine tranquilizers (such as clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide,
- diazepam, flurazepam, halazepam, and prazepam), tricyclic antidepressants,
- oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), lidocaine, verapamil,
- quinidine, nifedipine, metronidazole, codeine, and morphine.
- 2. The combination of cimetidine and antineoplastic agents (anticancer
- drugs) may increase the risk of blood disorders.
- 3. The absorption of ketoconazole is decreased by cimetidine; at least
- two hours should separate doses of these two drugs.
- 4. Cimetidine may decrease the blood levels and effectiveness of digoxin.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had
- to medications, especially to cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, or
- ranitidine.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had arthritis,
- kidney disease, liver disease, or organic brain syndrome.
- * Cimetidine can decrease the elimination of alcohol from the body, which
- can prolong its intoxicating effects.
- * Cimetidine should be taken continuously for as long as your doctor
- prescribes. Stopping therapy early may be a cause of ineffective treatment.
- * Cigarette smoking may block the beneficial effects of therapy with
- cimetidine.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous equipment.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Cimetidine appears to
- be safe during pregnancy; however, extensive testing has not been conducted.
- Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of
- cimetidine pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-