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Cimetidine |
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What is Cimetidine and why is it prescribed? Cimetidine is prescribed for the treatment of certain kinds of stomach and intestinal ulcers and related conditions. These include: active duodenal ulcers; active benign stomach ulcers; erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease; prevention of upper abdominal bleeding in those who are critically ill; and excess-acid conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used for maintenance therapy of duodenal ulcer following the healing of active ulcers. Cimetidine is known as a histamine blocker. Some doctors also use Cimetidine to treat acne and to prevent stress-induced ulcers. It may also be used to treat chronic hives, herpesvirus infections, abnormal hair growth in women, and overactivity of the parathyroid gland. Short-term treatment with Cimetidine can result in complete healing of a duodenal ulcer. However, there can be a recurrence of the ulcer after Cimetidine has been discontinued. The rate of ulcer recurrence may be slightly higher in people healed with Cimetidine rather than other forms of therapy. However, Cimetidine is usually prescribed for more severe cases. How should you take Cimetidine? Follow your doctors directions for taking Cimetidine. You can take Cimetidine with or between meals. Do not take antacids within 1 to 2 hours of a dose of Cimetidine. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine while taking this drug. It may take several days for Cimetidine to begin relieving stomach pain. Be sure to continue taking the drug exactly as prescribed even if it seems to have no effect. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Cimetidine at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from light. Are there any Cimetidine side effects? Cimetidine side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Cimetidine side effects may include breast development in men and headache. Less common Cimetidine side effects, agitation, anxiety, confusion, depression, disorientation, and hallucinations, may appear in severely ill individuals who have been treated for 1 month or longer. However, these reactions are not permanent and have cleared up within 3 to 4 days of discontinuation of the drug. Rare Cimetidine side effects may include allergic reactions, anemia, blood disorders, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, hair loss, impotence, inability to urinate, joint pain, kidney disorders, liver disorders, mild rash, muscle pain, pancreas inflammation, rapid heartbeat, skin inflammation or peeling, sleepiness, and slow heart beat. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Cimetidine? If Cimetidine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important that you check with your doctor before combining Cimetidine with Antidiabetic drugs (such as Micronase and Glucotrol), Antifungal drugs (such as Diflucan and Nizoral), Aspirin, Augmentin, Benzodiazepine tranquilizers (such as Valium and Librium), Beta-blocking blood pressure drugs (such as Inderal and Lopressor), Calcium-blocking blood pressure drugs (such as Cardizem, Calan, and Procardia), Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Cisapride (Propulsid), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune), Digoxin (Lanoxin), Medications for irregular heartbeat (such as Cordarone, Tonocard, Quinidex, and Procan), Metoclopramide (Reglan), Metronidazole (Flagyl), Narcotic pain relievers (such as Demerol and Morphine), Nicotine (Nicoderm, Nicorette), Paroxetine (Paxil), Pentoxifylline (Trental), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Quinine, Sucralfate (Carafate), Theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), or Warfarin (Coumadin). Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking Cimetidine. This medication increases the effects of alcohol. Antacids can reduce the effect of Cimetidine when taken at the same time. If you take an antacid to relieve the pain of an ulcer, the doses should be separated by 1 to 2 hours. If you need to take an antifungal drug such as Nizoral, you should take it at least 2 hours before you take Cimetidine. Are there any special warnings about Cimetidine? Ulcers may be more difficult to heal if you smoke cigarettes. If you are being treated for a liver or kidney disorder, make sure the doctor is aware if it. If you are over 50 years old, have liver or kidney disease, or are severely ill, you may experience temporary mental confusion while taking Cimetidine. Notify your doctor. |
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