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Cimetidine Dosing

One of the factors affecting cimetidine dosing is the condition being treated. For instance, the cimetidine dosage healthcare providers often recommend for treating gastric ulcers is typically either 800 mg at bedtime or 300 mg four times daily (with meals and at bedtime). The dose of cimetidine usually recommended for GERD is 800 mg twice daily or 400 mg four times daily for 12 weeks.

 

Cimetidine Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of cimetidine (Tagamet®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition for which you are being treated
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
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As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Cimetidine Dosing for Gastric Ulcers

The recommended cimetidine dose for gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) is either cimetidine 800 mg at bedtime or cimetidine 300 mg four times daily (with meals and at bedtime).
 

Cimetidine Dosing for Duodenal Ulcers

The recommended cimetidine dose for duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers) is cimetidine 800 mg at bedtime.
 However, your healthcare provider may recommend a lower dose (cimetidine 400 mg at bedtime) or a higher dose (cimetidine 1600 mg at bedtime). Other optional dosages are cimetidine 300 mg four times daily (with meals and at bedtime) or cimetidine 400 mg twice daily. Cimetidine can also be used to prevent the duodenal ulcers from returning. After the ulcer is healed, the dose to prevent future duodenal ulcers is cimetidine 400 mg once daily at bedtime.
 
(Cimetidine Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;