TAGAMET SUMMARY
Tagamet (cimetidine) is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist.
Tagamet (cimetidine) is indicated in:
- Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks and there is rarely reason to use
Tagamet
at full dosage for longer than 6 to 8 weeks (see Dosage and Administration - Duodenal Ulcer). Concomitant antacids should be given as needed for relief of pain. However, simultaneous administration of
Tagamet
and antacids is not recommended, since antacids have been reported to interfere with the absorption of
Tagamet.
- Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of active ulcer. Patients have been maintained on continued treatment with
Tagamet
400 mg h.s. for periods of up to 5 years.
- Short-term treatment of active benign gastric ulcer. There is no information concerning usefulness of treatment periods of longer than 8 weeks.
- Erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Erosive esophagitis diagnosed by endoscopy. Treatment is indicated for 12 weeks for healing of lesions and control of symptoms. The use of
Tagamet
beyond 12 weeks has not been established (see Dosage and Administration --GERD).
- Prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients.
- The treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (i.e., Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, multiple endocrine adenomas).
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