Cimetidine - Benefits, dosage and side effects

Cimetidine is a drug used to treat ulcers (ulcers) in the stomach and intestines, acid reflux disease or GERD, and treat diseases associated with excess stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Cimetidine can only be used with a doctor's prescription.

Cimetidine belongs to the class of H2 antagonist drugs. This drug works by decreasing the production of stomach acid. This way of working will help reduce complaints due to excess stomach acid production and help heal ulcers or wounds in the stomach or intestines.

Cimetidine trademark: Cimetidine, Cimexol, Corsamet, Licomet, Nulcer, Sanmetidine, Tidifar, Ulcusan, and Xepamet.

What is Cimetidine

Precautions Before Taking Cimetidine

Cimetidine should not be used carelessly. Follow the doctor's advice and advice when taking treatment with cimetidine. Before taking cimetidine, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Do not take cimetidine if you have an allergy to this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to other H2 antagonist drugs, such as famotidine and ranitidine.
• Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have diabetes, immune system disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, certain lung diseases, such as COPD, and gastrointestinal tumors.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• See a doctor immediately if the symptoms do not subside or you experience other complaints, such as chest pain, drastic weight loss, difficulty swallowing, bloody or coffee-colored vomit, and bloody or black stools.
• See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after taking cimetidine.

Dosage and Instructions for Use of Cimetidine

The dose of cimetidine that your doctor prescribes can be different for each patient. This depends on the condition and disease experienced by the patient. The following is a description of the cimetidine dosage distribution:

Purpose: Treating Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

• Mature: 300 mg or 400 mg, 4 times a day. The dose can be increased if needed.

Purpose: Treating stomach acid disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Mature: 400 mg, 4 times daily, or 800 mg, 2 times daily, for 4–12 weeks.

Purpose: Treat stomach ulcers

• Mature: 800 mg per day divided in separate doses.

Purpose: Treat stomach ulcers

• Mature: 800 mg daily at bedtime or 400 mg, 2 times daily, for 4 weeks. Maintenance dose: 400 mg at bedtime or 400 mg, 2 times a day.

Purpose: Treat duodenal ulcer

• Mature: 800 mg per day at bedtime or 400 mg, 2 times daily, for 6 weeks. The dose may be increased to 400 mg, 4 times daily if needed. Maintenance dose: 400 mg at bedtime or 400 mg, 2 times a day.

Purpose: Prevents the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding due to stress ulcer

• Mature: 200–400 mg, every 4–6 hours.

Purpose: Overcoming the lack of enzymes produced by the pancreas (pancreatic insufficiency)

• Mature: 800–1,600 mg per day divided into 4 doses, taken 60–90 minutes before meals.

Condition: Prevents gastric acid aspiration while undergoing general anesthesia

• Mature: 400 mg, given 90–120 minutes before anesthetic administration. The dose may be increased to 400 mg, once every 4 hours if needed. The maximum dose is 2,400 g per day.

The dose of cimetidine for pediatric patients will be adjusted by the doctor, according to the patient's age and weight.

How to Take Cimetidine Correctly

Follow the doctor's advice and read the information listed on the cimetidine package before starting to take it. Cimetidine can be taken with meals, before bed, or as directed by a doctor. Take the medicine with the help of a glass of water.

Make sure that there is sufficient time between one dose and the next. Try to take cimetidine at the same time each day to make it more effective.

If you forget to take cimetidine, take it as soon as you remember if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.

If your symptoms do not improve after a few days of taking cimetidine, see your doctor immediately. Do not take this medicine for more than 2 weeks, unless directed by your doctor.

Store cimetidine in a place away from direct sunlight, humidity, or heat. Keep out of reach of children.

Cimetidine Interactions with Other Drugs

Cimetidine can cause drug interactions when used with other medicines. Here are some interactions between drugs that can occur:

• Increased risk of QT prolongation on ECG results, which can be fatal with dofelitide or pimozide
• Elevated levels of eliglustat, which can increase the risk of heart rhythm disturbances or life-threatening heart problems
• Increased risk of side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and liver damage, when used with lomitapide
• Decreased absorption of dasatinib, itraconazole, or ketoconazole
• Increased levels of oral anticoagulants, hydroxyzine, lidocaine, phenytoin, or theophylline, in the blood
• Decreased absorption of cimetidine when used with antacids, sucralfate, or propantheline
• Increased risk of side effects when used with myelosuppressive drugs, such as antimetabolites and alkylating agents

Cimetidine Side Effects and Dangers

Some of the side effects that can occur after taking cimetidine are:

• Muscle ache
• Dizzy
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness

Consult a doctor if the above side effects do not subside immediately or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or serious side effects that are rare, such as:

• Depression
• Excessive anxiety
• daze
• hallucination
• Skin that bruises or bleeds easily
• Symptoms of infection, such as fever, sore throat, and cough
• Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias)
• Decreased frequency of urination and amount of urine
• A yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Severe stomach ache
• Breast enlargement (in men)