Generic Name: cimetidine

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• 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, or confused;

• urinating less than usual;

• irregular heartbeat; or

• a rash.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these side effects:

• feeling dizzy, depressed, or agitated;

• breast swelling or tenderness (in men);

• joint or muscle pain;

• mild skin rash;

• headache; or

• diarrhea, nausea, or constipation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect cimetidine?

If you also take ketoconazole (Nizoral), take it at least 2 hours before you take cimetidine.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• a blood thinner (warfarin or Coumadin);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• nifedipine (Adalat);

• metronidazole (Flagyl);

• propranolol (Inderal);

• chlordiazepoxide (Librium);

• lidocaine (Xylocaine);

• diazepam (Valium);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Bronkodyl); or

• depression or anxiety medication such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortripytyline (Aventyl).

You may not be able to take cimetidine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect cimetidine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about cimetidine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Cimetidine is available with a prescription under the brand name Tagamet. It is also available over the counter under the brand name Tagamet HB. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Tagamet 200 mg--round, light-green, film-coated tablets

• Tagamet 300 mg--round, light-green, film-coated tablets

• Tagamet 400 mg--oval, light-green, film-coated tablets

• Tagamet 800 mg--oval, light-green, film-coated tablets

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.