cimetidine

Cimetidine is a small molecule pharmaceutical drug classified as a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2 blocker). It works by competitively inhibiting the action of histamine at the H2 receptors of gastric parietal cells, thereby reducing both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. This leads to decreased gastric volume and acidity. Cimetidine is primarily used for the treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, pathological hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and for relief or prevention of heartburn associated with acid indigestion. It has also been used off-label for stress ulcer prophylaxis, cutaneous mastocytosis, viral warts, hives/itching (urticaria), bronchogenic carcinoma adjunct therapy, upper GI hemorrhage management, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and other conditions where reduction in stomach acid is beneficial[1][4][5][6][8]. Developed in 1971 by Smith Kline & French Laboratories (now part of GSK), cimetidine was first approved in the UK in 1976 and FDA-approved in 1979[8].

Brand names

TagametTagamet HBAcid Reducer-CimetidineMajor Acid ReducerLeader Heartburn ReliefEqualine Acid ReducerUlcedineUlcerfenUlcimet

Other names

Cimetag