Cimetidine

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Cimetidine, drug used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal ulcers. It is used to treat reflux disease, a condition in which stomach acids back up into the esophagus causing heartburn, and to prevent upper abdominal bleeding. Cimetidine is also used to treat chronic hives, acne, herpes infections (including shingles), excessive hair growth in women, and an overactive parathyroid gland.

Cimetidine blocks the action of histamine, a chemical in the body that stimulates acid secretions in the stomach. When histamine action is blocked, secretion of stomach acid decreases, allowing ulcers and other gastrointestinal ailments to heal.

This drug is available by prescription in tablet and liquid form, both taken orally, and in a liquid form that is injected. Depending on the condition being treated, typical dosages range from 800 to 1200 mg per day. Cimetidine may be taken in a single dose at bedtime or divided into two or four smaller doses, usually taken immediately after a meal. Relief of symptoms may take several days. Recurrence of ulcers after cimetidine treatment ends may be slightly higher than with other forms of treatment.

Patients taking this drug should avoid alcohol, cigarette smoking, and excessive caffeine. Patients should refrain from taking antacids within one to two hours of a cimetidine dose. This drug has not been proven safe for pregnant or nursing women or for children under the age of 16. It should be used with caution by patients with impaired liver or kidney function. It should not be stopped abruptly by patients taking it for peptic ulcer disease.

Breast development in men and headaches are the two most common side effects of this drug. Less common side effects are diarrhea, dizziness, anemia, hair loss, impotence, joint or muscle pain, skin rash or inflammation, rapid or slow heartbeat, and sleepiness. With prolonged use (one month or more), some patients experience anxiety, confusion, depression, or hallucinations. These reactions are more likely to occur in elderly or severely ill patients, but they are temporary and subside several days after drug treatment ends.

Cimetidine may interact adversely with a variety of drugs, including medications for diabetes, heart palpitations, and fungal infections as well as blood pressure drugs (both beta blockers and calcium blockers), benzodiazepine tranquilizers (such as diazepam), narcotic pain relievers, nicotine, and aspirin. Other drugs that may interact adversely include chlorpromazine, cyclosporine, digoxin, metoclopramide, metronidazole, paroxetine, pentoxifylline, phenytoin, quinine, sucralfate, theophylline, and warfarin.

Brand Name:Tagamet

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