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cimetidine

Generic Tagamet HB
Used for Heartburn, Gastric Ulcer, GERD, Duodenal Ulcer
Used for Heartburn, Gastric Ulcer, GERD, Duodenal Ulcer

Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) that lowers how much acid is made in the stomach. The over-the-counter (OTC) version relieves and prevents heartburn in people 12 years and older. Higher strengths of cimetidine are prescription only and are used to treat acid reflux, stomach and gut ulcers, and other stomach acid problems in people 16 years and older. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is taken by mouth one to four times a day, depending on what stomach problem you have. This medication has few side effects, which can include headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 24, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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basics-icon

What is Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?

What is Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) used for?

How Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) works

Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA). It blocks your stomach from making acid. This lowers how much acid your stomach makes, which prevents heartburn and helps heal ulcers.

When does Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
MINUTES
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsTagamet HB, Cimetidine Acid Reducer
Drug ClassHistamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA)
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription or over-the-counter

More on Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) essentials

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Written by Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness

Other Side Effects

  • Rash
  • Breast enlargement in males (more likely with long-term use)

Source: DailyMed

More on Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) side effects

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8 Cimetidine Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Written by Rachel Feaster, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Abdominal pain

back, leg, or stomach pain

bleeding or crusting sores on lips

blistering, burning, redness, scaling, or tenderness of skin

blisters on palms of hands and soles of feet

changes in vision or blurred vision

confusion

coughing or difficulty in swallowing

dark-colored urine

dizziness

fainting

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

fever and/or chills

flu-like symptoms

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hives

inflammation of blood vessels

joint pain

light-colored stools

mood or mental changes, including anxiety, agitation, confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), mental depression, nervousness, or severe mental illness

muscle cramps or aches

nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite

pain

peeling or sloughing of skin

red or irritated eyes

shortness of breath

skin rash or itching

slow heartbeat

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips, in mouth, or on genitals

sudden difficult breathing

swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or eyelids

swelling of hands or feet

swollen or painful glands

tightness in chest

troubled breathing

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusually slow or irregular breathing

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Constipation

decrease in sexual desire

decreased sexual ability (especially in patients with Zollinger-Ellison disease who have received high doses of cimetidine for at least 1 year)

diarrhea

difficult urination

dizziness

drowsiness

dryness of mouth or skin

headache

increased or decreased urination

increased sweating

loss of hair

ringing or buzzing in ears

runny nose

swelling of breasts or breast soreness in females and males

trouble in sleeping

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. All of the H2-blockers are similar, so any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)

thumbs-up

Pros

Available as an OTC product for heartburn only

Available as a tablets and an oral solution

thumbs-down

Cons

Interacts with many medications, including warfarin (Coumadin) and propranolol

Might not work as well as you continue taking the medication (when taken long-term)

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)

pharmacist

  • Tell your providers and pharmacists about the medications and supplements that you take or plan to take with cimetidine (Tagamet HB). Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can interact with many medications; it can cause some medications to work less well and raise your risk for side effects from other medications. Your providers can check for possible drug interactions and suggest ways to avoid these interactions.

    Tips for over-the-counter cimetidine (Tagamet HB):

    • Take cimetidine (Tagamet HB) once daily to help with heartburn related to indigestion. To prevent heartburn, make sure to take the medication right before or up to 30 minutes before consuming foods or drinks that cause heartburn. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.

      • Take over-the-counter cimetidine (Tagamet HB) for up to 14 days. Stop taking the medication and contact your provider if you need to take it for more than 14 days. There might be a different medication that's more appropriate for you.

        • Call your provider if your stomach pain or heartburn doesn't go away or worsens. Your provider can check to see whether there's a more serious problem going on.

          • Don't use cimetidine (Tagamet HB) if you have trouble or pain swallowing food, bloody vomit, or bloody or black stools. Also don't take the OTC medication if you have frequent chest pain; heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness; or any chest or shoulder pain with shortness of breath or sweating. Call for help in these situations because they could be medical emergencies.

            Tips for prescription cimetidine:

            • Swallow the tablets whole; don't crush or chew them. Ask your provider about possibly switching to the oral solution if you're having trouble swallowing the tablets.

              • For many conditions, cimetidine can be taken either as a larger dose once a day or as smaller doses a few times throughout the day. If you're taking cimetidine once a day, take it at bedtime. And if you're taking it multiple times a day, take the medication with meals and at bedtime.

                • For the cimetidine oral solution: Keep the oral solution at room temperature. Make sure to use the medication dose cup or oral syringe that the pharmacy provides you to measure out the dose. Don't use household or kitchen spoons because they might not be accurate.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)

                  Is cimetidine (Tagamet HB) banned?
                  No, cimetidine (Tagamet HB) hasn't been banned. In fact, this medication is available over the counter and by prescription. The FDA decided to remove ranitidine (Zantac), a similar heartburn medication, from the market because they found that some ranitidine products had impurities that could potentially cause cancer. As a caution, the FDA also tested a range of other acid-lowering medications, including cimetidine (Tagamet HB). But to date, the FDA hasn't found any cancer-causing impurities in cimetidine (Tagamet HB) products.
                  Is cimetidine (Tagamet HB) discontinued?
                  No, cimetidine (Tagamet HB) hasn't been discontinued. This medication is available over the counter as a generic medication and branded product (under the name Tagamet HB). Cimetidine is also available by prescription as a generic medication.
                  Is cimetidine (Tagamet HB) safe to take with other medications?
                  Talk to your provider or pharmacist about whether cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is safe to take with your other medications. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) lowers the amount of acid in your stomach, which can affect how well some medications get absorbed into your body through your stomach. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can also lower your body's ability to break down many other medications, like warfarin (Coumadin) and propranolol. This causes the medications to stay in your body too long, potentially build up to unsafe levels, and raise your risk for side effects from these medications. In general, cimetidine (Tagamet HB) has more drug interactions than other acid-lowering medications, so providers and pharmacists might recommend that you take a different acid-lowering medication to be on the safe side.
                  What's the difference between omeprazole (Prilosec) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?
                  Both omeprazole (Prilosec) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can help with heartburn and other stomach acid problems. The two medications both cause the stomach to make less acid, but they work a little differently. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) might start to work faster and carry fewer serious risks than omeprazole (Prilosec). But Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) might not work as well as you continue taking the medication. Speak with your provider about which medication best fits your needs.
                  Can cimetidine (Tagamet HB) cause constipation?
                  Constipation wasn't a side effect that people who took cimetidine (Tagamet HB) reported during clinical trials. Speak with your provider or pharmacist if you have constipation while you're taking cimetidine (Tagamet HB). Your providers can suggest lifestyle changes or OTC stool softeners or laxatives to help relieve your constipation.
                  Can cimetidine (Tagamet HB) cause high blood pressure?
                  High blood pressure wasn't a side effect that people who took cimetidine (Tagamet HB) reported during clinical trials. Let your provider know if your blood pressure readings are higher than usual while you're taking cimetidine (Tagamet HB). They might want to follow up with you to make sure your blood pressure is okay.
                  Can I take cimetidine (Tagamet HB) while pregnant?
                  Speak with your provider about whether you can take cimetidine (Tagamet HB) while pregnant. There isn't enough information to know whether the medication is safe for you and your unborn baby during pregnancy. Your provider will discuss the risks and benefits of taking cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and will recommend the medication only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Some providers might recommend medications like cimetidine (Tagamet HB) when calcium carbonate antacids (Tums) and lifestyle changes aren't enough to help with heartburn or GERD symptoms during pregnancy.
                  Can cimetidine (Tagamet HB) be used for molluscum contagiosum?
                  The CDC states that cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can be used as an alternative treatment for young children with molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection that causes a wart-like rash. Providers might use cimetidine (Tagamet HB) in situations when children are scared of the pain from physical methods for wart removal (e.g., cryotherapy, laser) or when parents want to avoid possible scarring from these methods. Keep in mind that cimetidine (Tagamet HB) isn't FDA approved for molluscum contagiosum, so this is considered an "off-label" use of the medication. Speak with your child's provider about whether this medication is right for your child.
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                  warings-icon

                  What are the risks and warnings for Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?

                  Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Speak with provider if symptoms don't go away or come back

                  Sometimes, heartburn, GERD, and other symptoms of upset stomach can be signs of serious stomach problems or stomach cancer. Talk to your provider if your symptoms don't completely go away with cimetidine (Tagamet HB) treatment or if your symptoms come back really fast after stopping the medication. Your provider might have to do some tests on you to check for problems that might be more serious.

                  risk-warning

                  Confusion

                  • Risk factors: Age 50 years or older | Kidney or liver problems | Severe illness

                    Some people taking cimetidine (Tagamet HB) have started to have confusion. Confusion might be more likely to happen in severely ill people, people 50 years or older, and people with kidney or liver problems. This confusion can be mild, and it usually goes away either on its own or a few days after stopping the medication. Talk to your provider if you start to feel confused while you're taking cimetidine (Tagamet HB).

                    risk-warning

                    Drug interactions

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can interact with a lot of medications. It lowers the amount of acid in your stomach. This can affect how well certain medications are absorbed into the body through the stomach. Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can also lower your body's ability to break down many other medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), propranolol, and amitriptyline, from your system. This can raise the levels of these medications in the body and put you at risk for side effects. Make sure you talk to your provider or pharmacist about potential interactions before starting cimetidine (Tagamet HB).

                    dosage

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) dosage forms

                    The average cost for 60 tablets of 400mg of Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is $30.98 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.51% off the average retail price of $98.39.
                    ml of oral solution
                    Ml of oral solution
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    300mg/5ml237 ml$36.13$0.15
                    tablet
                    Tablet
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    200mg90 tablets$34.54$0.38
                    300mg60 tablets$25.52$0.43
                    400mg60 tablets$30.98$0.52
                    800mg60 tablets$42.92$0.72

                    Typical dosing for Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription. The OTC strength is 200 mg; the prescription strengths include 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg.

                    OTC dosing for people 12 years and older:

                    • Heartburn relief: The typical dose is 200 mg by mouth once a day.

                    • Heartburn prevention: The typical dose is 200 mg by mouth once a day. Take cimetidine (Tagamet HB) right before or up to 30 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that cause heartburn.

                    • Don't take more than 2 tablets within a 24-hour period.

                    Prescription dosing for people 16 years and older:

                    • GERD: The typical dose is either 800 mg by mouth twice a day or 400 mg by mouth four times a day. Treatment typically lasts 12 weeks.

                    • Duodenal ulcer: The typical dose is 800 mg by mouth once a day at bedtime for 4 to 6 weeks. After the ulcer has healed, the recommended dose is 400 mg by mouth once a day at bedtime.

                    • Gastric ulcer: The typical dose is either 800 mg by mouth at bedtime or 300 mg by mouth four times a day (with meals and at bedtime).

                    • Conditions that cause too much stomach acid: The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth four times a day with meals and at bedtime.

                    • Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.

                    interactions

                    Interactions between Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and other drugs

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Cimetidine (Tagamet HB). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                    Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

                    Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

                    Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                    How much does Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) cost?

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                    contraindications-icon

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) contraindications

                    Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) will not be safe for you to take.

                    • Allergy to cimetidine (Tagamet HB) or other acid-lowering medications

                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Cimetidine (Tagamet HB). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
                    Used for:
                    $25.52 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Famotidine (Pepcid AC)
                    Used for:

                    • Prevention and treatment of heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)

                    $6.60 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Omeprazole (Prilosec)
                    Used for:

                    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

                    • Inflamed esophagus due to GERD

                    $5.88 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    latest news

                    What is the latest news about Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)?

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                    images

                    Cimetidine (Tagamet HB) images

                    Green Oval N 204 And 400 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "N 204" And "400".Green Oval N 204 And 400 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    Green Pentagon M And 372 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green, Pentagon, Notched Tablet Imprinted With "M" And "372".Green Pentagon M And 372 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    Green Oval C 4 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "C 4".Green Oval C 4 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    Green Oval Apo 020 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "Apo 020".Green Oval Apo 020 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    White Oval Ce 61 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is White, Oval, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ce 61".White Oval Ce 61 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    Green Round Ci 2 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ci 2".Green Round Ci 2 - Cimetidine 400mg Tablet

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    Akorn Operating Company LLC. (2022). Cimetidine hydrochloride oral solution solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    Altuwaijri, M. (2022). Evidence-based treatment recommendations for gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy: A review. Medicine.

                    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Treatment options.

                    View All References (4)

                    Chartwell RX, LLC. (2023). Cimetidine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    Heidelbaugh, J.J., et al. (2003). Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. American Family Physician.

                    Medtech Products Inc. (2023). Tagamet- cimetidine tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA requests removal of all ranitidine products (Zantac) from the market.

                    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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