This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.
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What are the possible side effects of cimetidine?
- If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking cimetidine and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- easy or unusual bruising or bleeding;
- bleeding gums;
- irregular heartbeat;
- yellowing of the skin; or
- a rash.
- Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take cimetidine and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness;
- 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?
- Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking cimetidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of cimetidine.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a sedative, sleeping pill, or tranquilizer such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium);
- an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- a seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- a heart medication such as procainamide (Procan SR, Procanbid, Pronestyl), digoxin (Lanoxin), propranolol (Inderal), or metoprolol (Lopressor);
- an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase), tolbutamide (Tolinase), and others;
- ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or fluconazole (Diflucan); or
- cisapride (Propulsid).
- 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.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cimetidine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about cimetidine written for health professionals that you may read.
- 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.
Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database
Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.
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Version: 5.03. Revision date: 7/18/03.