Cimetidine is used in all cases where it is necessary to decrease the level of gastric acid secretion (duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, esophagitis, duodenitis, gastritis).
How should Cimetidine be taken?
Cimetidine is mainly administered orally, but in case of emergency it can be administered by injection, strictly under medical control.
Side effects associated with Cimetidine
The basic treatment of Cimetidine is generally well tolerated. However, some disorders may be noticed and the most common are: headaches, dizziness, mental confusion and drowsiness. Disorders that are also possible, but rarely arise include: diarrhea, rash, reduced sex drive, breast enlargement (gynecomastia) and impotence (rarely).
During Cimetidine based therapy, it is recommended to avoid smoking, since it reduces the effectiveness of the drug. It is also advisable to pay attention to the possible reduction in the readiness of reflexes that could occur after taking this active ingredient. Particular attention should be paid to patients with liver and /or kidney dysfunction.
Furthermore, Cimetidine is able to penetrate through the placenta and accumulate into the breast milk. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this medication during pregnancy and lactation, despite the lack of studies on pregnant and lactating women.
