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EspañolCimetidine overview
BRAND NAMES:
TopCare Heartburn Relief, Good Sense Heartburn Relief, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Heartburn Relief 200
Generic Names:
Cimetidine
Uses:
Treats duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other disorders of the stomach. Also treats or prevents heartburn. This medicine is a histamine H2-blocker.
Therapeutic Classes:
Antiulcer, Gastric Acid Secretion Inhibitor
Forms:
Tablet, Liquid
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What form(s) does Cimetidine come in
Tablet
Liquid
What are common Cimetidine doses?
Tablet 200MG
Tablet 300MG
Tablet 400MG
Tablet 800MG
Common Cimetidine prescriptions
Cimetidine
200mg tabletCimetidine
300mg tabletCimetidine
400mg tabletCimetidine
800mg tablet
How to take Cimetidine
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
If you are taking 1 dose daily to treat ulcers or GERD, take the medicine at bedtime. If you are taking 2 doses daily, take one dose in the morning and one at bedtime. If you are using several doses daily, take with meals and at bedtime. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
To treat heartburn, take the medicine at any time with a full glass of water. To prevent heartburn, take the medicine with water no more than 30 minutes before you eat or drink something that causes you to have heartburn. Do not take more than 2 doses each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not use this medicine to treat heartburn for longer than 2 weeks in a row.
If you are taking 1 dose daily to treat ulcers or GERD, take the medicine at bedtime. If you are taking 2 doses daily, take one dose in the morning and one at bedtime. If you are using several doses daily, take with meals and at bedtime. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
To treat heartburn, take the medicine at any time with a full glass of water. To prevent heartburn, take the medicine with water no more than 30 minutes before you eat or drink something that causes you to have heartburn. Do not take more than 2 doses each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not use this medicine to treat heartburn for longer than 2 weeks in a row.
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
What to do if you miss a dose of Cimetidine
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Cimetidine contraindications
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to cimetidine or other histamine H2-blockers such as Zantac®, Pepcid®, or Axid®.
Cimetidine warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have painful heartburn that also causes dizziness, sweating, chest or shoulder pain, trouble breathing, or trouble swallowing. Tell your doctor if you have unexpectedly lost weight.
Avoid using this medicine if you are vomiting. Avoid smoking tobacco while you are using cimetidine. Smoking may cause the medicine to not work properly.
If you have had ongoing heartburn for 3 months or longer, you may have a serious medical problem. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor.
Unexplained fever, unusual bruising.
Cimetidine interactions
You should not use antacids within 1 hour before or after taking cimetidine.
You should not use ketoconazole within 2 hours before or after taking cimetidine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use carmustine (BiCNU®), chloroquine (Aralen®), dofetilide (Tikosyn®), meperidine (Demerol®), morphine, theophylline (Theo-Dur®, Slo-Bid®), or tizanidine (Zanaflex®). Your doctor should know if you use blood thinners (such as Coumadin®), seizure medicine, or medicine to treat asthma or heart conditions.
Avoid large amounts of coffee or aspirin while using cimetidine.
If you have had ongoing heartburn for 3 months or longer, you may have a serious medical problem. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor.
Cimetidine side effects
Serious Side Effects
Unexplained fever, unusual bruising.
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or black, tarry stools.
Pain when you swallow.
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Less Serious Side Effects
Swollen breasts.
Diarrhea.
Decreased sexual desire
Headache.
Dizziness or drowsiness