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Name: Cimetidine

Pregnancy Category B

Drug classes

• H2 antagonist

Therapeutic actions

Inhibits the action of histamine at the histamine2 (H2) receptors of the stomach, inhibiting gastric acid secretion and reducing total pepsin output.

Indications

• Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer
• Short-term treatment of benign gastric ulcer
• Treatment of pathologic hypersecretory conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
• Prophylaxis of stress-induced ulcers and acute upper GI bleed in critically ill patients
• Treatment of erosive gastroesophageal reflux

Contraindications/cautions

• Allergy to cimetidine, impaired renal or hepatic function, lactation.

Adverse effects

• CNS: Dizziness, somnolence, headache, confusion, hallucinations, peripheral neuropathy; symptoms of brain stem dysfunction (dysarthria, ataxia, diplopia)
• GI: Diarrhea
• CV: Cardiac arrhythmias, arrest; hypotension (IV use)
• Hematologic: Increases in plasma creatinine, serum transaminase
• Other: Impotence (reversible with drug withdrawal), gynecomastia (in long-term treatment), rash, vasculitis, pain at IM injection site

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