Cimetidine (HCl)

Drug #173

Cimetidine (HCl) is a histamine H2 receptor blocking agent. It conatins a substituted imidazole ring. Cimetidine approved for clinical use in 1977 by the Food and Drug Aministration and after five years of clinical experience of cimetidine in 25 million patients, cimetidine is considered the prototype drug for ulcer therapy.

← Previous drug Next drug →

Primary Characteristics

Cimetidine (HCl) is also known as Cimetidine.

It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Imidazole Guanidine.

It belongs to H2-antagonist pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action and also classified in Antineoplastic Agent, Plant Derivative pharmacological group.

Molecular Weight: 288.8 · pK_a: 7.1 · Solubility in Water: slightly soluble · Solubility in Alcohol: soluble · Non-proprietary name: Cimetidine (HCl).

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Cimetidine (HCl) has an oral bioavailability is 92.5% (±2.5%), pre-systemic (first-pass) metabolism accounts for 37% (±13%).

Distribution: Cimetidine (HCl) has a volume of distribution is 0.8-1.2 l/kg. plasma protein binding is 13-25%.

Elimination: it is metabolised via 25-40% (hepatic), plasma half-life is 1-3 hr, renal excretion is 50-80%.

Indications

Cimetidine (HCl) is primarily indicated in conditions like Acid-related dyspepsia, Aspiration prophylaxis, Benign gastric and duodenal ulceration, Degradation of pancreatic enzyme suppliments, Duodenal ulcer, Dyspepsia, Gastric acid reduction (surgical procedures), Gastric ulceration, Mendelsons syndrome prophylaxis, NSAID associated ulceration, NSAID-induced ulcer prophylaxis, Peptic ulcer, Prohylaxis of stress ulceration, Prophylaxis of acid aspiration in obstetric patients, Reflux oesophagitis, Risk of acid aspiration in obstetric patients, Short-bowel syndrome, Stress ulcers prevention, Surgical procedures, To reduce degradation of pancreatic enzyme supplements, Zollinger-ellison syndrome.

Cimetidine (HCl) is also indicated for secondary conditions like Benign gastric ulcer, Esophagitis, Gastritis, GI bleeding, Heart burn, Pancreatic insufficiency.

Contraindications

Cimetidine (HCl) is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity.

Dosage

Cimetidine (HCl)'s dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
800 mg	800 mg	Every 24h	PO	For 6 weeks. given at bed time.
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
20 mg/kg	20 mg/kg	—	Oral	in divided doses
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
20 mg/kg	20 mg/kg	—	oral	in divided doses

Drug Interactions

Unknown92 interactions

20 interactions

Major2 interactions

Minor5 interactions

Moderate12 interactions

Moderate (Sequence important)1 interaction

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Cimetidine (HCl) in overdosage may give rise to further complications which include Granulocytopenia , Agranulocytosis , Jaundice , Jaundice , Interstitial nephritis , Thrombocytopenia , Tachycardia , Impotence , Stevens johnson syndrome , Acute pancreatitis , Aplastic anemia , Reversible confusion state , Gynacomastia , Aplastic anemia, Fever , Aplastic anemia , Acute pancreatitis , Sinus bradycardia , Stevens johnson syndrome , reversible on stoping treatment.

Cimetidine (HCl) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Cardiac arrhythmia, Heart block. Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

The signs and symptoms that are produced after acute overdosage of Cimetidine (HCl) are no significant adverse effects gave been associated with gross deluberate overdosing.

Cimetidine (HCl) is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Agitation , Alopecia, Arthralgia, Confusion, Depression, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Fever, Hallucination , HDL chlosterol level increase, Headache, Myalgia, plasma creatinine level increase, Rashes , Sr parathyroid hormone increase, Tiredness .

Warnings / Precautions

Cimetidine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney or liver function. Intravenous injection of cimetidine should be given slowly and intravenous infusion is recommended in patients with cardiovascular impairment. Cimetidine can mask the symptoms and allow trasient healing of gastric cancer, the potential delay in diagnosis should particularly be borne in mind in patients of middle age and over with new or recently changed dyspeptic symptoms. In patient on drug treatment or with illness that could cause falls in the blood cell count, the possibility that H2-Receptor antagonism could potentiate this effect should be borne in mind.

Interference in Pathology

Cimetidine (HCl) may interfere in the diagnosis of Interfere with Gastric Juice Haemoccult Testing , treatment ingestion, faecal test donot seem to be affecrted.

Available Brands

Click on a strength to view available brands.

Single Ingredient

Inj

100 mg/ml 200 mg/ml

Susp

100 mg/10ml 200 mg/10ml

Tabs

200 mg 400 mg 800 mg

Storage Conditions

Cimetidine (HCl) should be stored Inj. Tab, Susp.

Drug Classification

1.17.1.2 — Anti-peptic ulcerants

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of Cimetidine (HCl) in Pakistan: