PREPARATIONS:
Liquid: 60mg/ml. Contains alcohol 2.8%, mint-peach flavor.
Tablet: 200 mg [OTC], 300 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg
THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:
- Cimetidine is a histamine H2 antagonist. It works by reducing acid
in the stomach by blocking one of the chemicals (histamine) that
stimulates the production of stomach acid.
- Cimetidine is very weight sensitive and should be adjusted regularly
with weight gain.
- Do not take an hour either side of antacids i.e. Mylanta/Maalox as
it will decrease its effectiveness.
- It is best to space this med an hour either side of a PPI i.e.
prevacid or prilosec, as it may interfere with absorption but also be
too hard on a child’s stomach all that once.
- May be taken with or without food, though most prefer to administer
it 30mins before feeding.
STORAGE:
Store cimetidine at room temperature away from
moisture, heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
PEDIATRIC DOSING:
Dose 20-40 mg/kg/day, divided two to four times a day
OTHER USES:
Treatment of erosive esophagitis, duodenal ulcers and
gastric ulcers. Also maintenance of healing of
duodenal and gastric ulcers.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol),
bupivacaine, ethanol, hydantoins (e.g., phenytoin), nifedipine,
procainamide, sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide), theophylline, or triazolam
because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased.
Sucralfate, (carafete) Nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g.,
vecuronium) because the effectiveness of cimetidine may be decreased.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness;
drowsiness; headache; nausea; sleeplessness; stomach pain; vomiting.
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