Tagamet (Cimetidine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Tagamet

Heartburn »

Overview of Heartburn

The esophagus is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It is made of muscles that work to push food toward the stomach in rhythmic waves. Once in the stomach, food is prevented from refluxing (moving back into the esophagus), by a special area of circular muscle located at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). A pressure difference across the diaphragm, the flat muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, also tends to keep stomach contents in the stomach.

The stomach combines food, acids, and enzymes together to begin digestion. There are special protective cells that line the stomach to prevent the acid from causing inflammation. The esophagus does not have this same protection; if stomach products reflux back into the esophagus, they can cause inflammation to the lining.

Heartburn Causes

Heartburn is actually a symptom of G...

Read the Heartburn article »

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Tagamet Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cimetidine (Tagamet)?

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Taking cimetidine may make you more susceptible to virus that causes pneumonia. You may be more likely to develop pneumonia if you have certain health problems.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take cimetidine if you have:

diabetes;
asthma or a chronic lung disorder;
a weak immune system;
bone marrow suppression;
kidney disease; or
liver disease.

Cimetidine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Cimetidine passes into breast milk, and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take cimetidine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 16 years old unless your doctor has told you to.

How should I take cimetidine (Tagamet)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not use the medication for longer than recommended.

Cimetidine is usually taken with meals or at bedtime.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

To be sure you get the correct dose of the oral solution (liquid), measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not stop taking cimetidine without first talking to your doctor. It may take up to 8 weeks for an ulcer to heal.

Your ulcer may take longer to heal if you smoke cigarettes.

Store cimetidine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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