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Cimetidine

Cimetidine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as H2 blockers. It reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. The medication is available in prescription and non-prescription strengths. Prescription cimetidine is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions. Over-the-counter cimetidine is used to treat heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. A few side effects of cimetidine include drowsiness, headache, and dizziness.

 

Cimetidine: An Introduction

Cimetidine (Tagamet®) is a medicine that is available as prescription medication and as an over-the-counter drug. It is used to treat several conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Cimetidine is part of a class of drugs known as H2 blockers.
 

Who Makes Cimetidine?

The manufacturer of brand-name cimetidine (Tagamet and Tagamet HB®) is GlaxoSmithKline, although brand-name prescription Tagamet is no longer being made. Several manufacturers make generic cimetidine in prescription and over-the-counter strengths.
 

Uses of Cimetidine

Uses of prescription cimetidine include the treatment of:
 
 
  • Duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the very first part of the intestine after the stomach): Cimetidine can be used to treat a duodenal ulcer and also to prevent ulcers from coming back.
     
  • Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers): Cimetidine is approved to treat benign (non-cancerous) gastric ulcers.
     
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Cimetidine helps treat GERD, helping to relieve heartburn and heal esophagitis (damage to the esophagus) due to GERD.
     
  • Pathological hypersecretory conditions: Cimetidine helps to treat these conditions (in which too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
     
The over-the-counter form of cimetidine is approved for the following conditions:
 
  • Heartburn
  • Acid indigestion
  • Sour stomach.
     
This non-prescription form of cimetidine can be used to treat these problems once they have started. Also, it can be used to prevent these problems if taken before eating or drinking foods or beverages that cause heartburn.
 
(Click What Is Cimetidine Used For? for more information about uses of cimetidine, including information about possible off-label uses of the medication.)
 
(Cimetidine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;