CIMETIDINE

USES

Treatment for duodenal ulcers and other conditions in which
stomach produces excess hydrochloric acid.

DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

How to take:
Tablet or liquid -- Swallow with liquid.
When to take:

Time lapse before drug works:
Begins in 30 minutes. May require several days to relieve pain.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Confusion, slurred speech, breathing difficulty, rapid
heartbeat, delirium.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If child takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or
hospital emergency room for instructions.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
None expected.
Infrequent:

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:
You are allergic to cimetidine or other histamine H-2
antagonist.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you
drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes,
such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine,
narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses
of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
Patients on kidney dialysis -- Take at end of dialysis treatment.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS

Alprazolam	Increased effect and toxicity of
	alprazolam.
Antacids	Decreased cimetidine absorption.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Anticoagulants (oral,	Increased
see Drugs Glossary)	anticoagulant effect.
Anticholinergics	Increased
(see Drugs Glossary)	cimetidine effect.
Carbamazepine	Increased effect and toxicity of
	carbamazepine.
Carmustine (BCNU)	Severe impairment of red-blood-cell
	production; some interference with
	white-blood-cell formation.
Chlordiazepoxide	Increased effect and toxicity of
	chlordiazepoxide.
Diazepam	Increased effect and toxicity of
	diazepam.
Digitalis	Increased digitalis
preparations	effect.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Encainide	Increased effect of cimetidine.
Flurazepam	Increased effect and toxicity of
	flurazepam.
Glipizide	Increased effect and toxicity of
	glipizide.
Ketoconazole	Decreased ketoconazole absorption.
Labetolol	Increased antihypertensive effects.
Methadone	Increased effect and toxicity of
	methadone.
Metoclopramide	Decreased cimetidine absorption.
Metoprolol	Increased effect and toxicity of
	metoprolol.
Metronidazole	Increased effect and toxicity of
	metronidazole.
Morphine	Increased effect and toxicity of
	morphine.
Phenytoin	Increased effect and toxicity of
	phenytoin.
Procainamide	Increased effect and toxicity of
	procainamide.
Propranolol	May increase propranolol effect.
Quinidine	Increased quinidine effect.
Theophylline	Increased theophylline effect.
Triazolam	Increased effect and toxicity of
	triazolam.
Verapamil	Increased effect and toxicity of
	verapamil.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Tobacco:	Reverses cimetidine effect. Tobacco
	may slow body's recovery. Avoid.
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