CIMETIDINE - Cimetidine

Cimetidine Used For

Cimetidine is in a class of drugs called histamine receptor antagonists which are prescribed for treatment and prevention of ulcers in the stomach and intestines. The medication is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid and conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Directions for Cimetidine

Following is the recommended dosage of Cimetidine for the treatment of various conditions: Duodenal or gastric ulcers - older adults, adults, and teenagers can be given 300 mg 4 times a day, with meals and at bedtime. Certain patients may also be administered 400 or 600 mg twice a day - on waking up and at bedtime. Others may take 800 mg at bedtime. The dose for children is 20 to 40 mg per kg of body weight a day, divided into 4 doses, taken with meals and at bedtime. For preventing duodenal ulcers, older adults, adults, and teenagers can be given 300 mg two times a day, on waking up and at bedtime or a single dose of 400 mg at bedtime. For children, the dose must be determined by the doctor. For heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, adults and teenagers should be given 100 to 200 mg with water when symptoms start with a repeat dose in 24 hours if needed. More than 400 mg of Cimetidine should never be taken within a 24 hour period. Doctor must determine the dosage for children. For prevention of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach, adults and teenagers can be given 100 to 200 mg with water up to one hour before eating food or drinking beverages that are expected to cause these conditions. When the stomach produces too much acid, adults can be administered 300 mg 4 times a day, with meals and at bedtime while for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, adults can be administered 800 to 1600 mg a day, divided into smaller doses, with treatment lasting up to 12 weeks. The dose for children for both the above conditions must be determined by the doctor.

How Cimetidine medication works

Antacids should not be taken within 1 hour of taking Cimetidine as they may decrease the effectiveness of this medication. Inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease as these conditions may need special dosage or monitoring during treatment with Cimetidine.

Side effects of Cimetidine tablets

As with all other medications, Cimetidine also has its side effects which may or may not include any or all of the following: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, cough, fever, chest congestion, trouble breathing, red or blistering skin rash, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, feeling faint, light-headed, disoriented, confused, urinating less than usual, irregular heartbeat, rashes, dizziness, depressed, agitated, breast swelling or tenderness (in men), joint or muscle pain, diarrhea, nausea, and/or constipation. It is advisable to seek immediate medical attention if any of the above side effects become aggravated or cause undue discomfort.

Other Cimetidine Information

Cimetidine tablet may be split and taken at half the dose.