Tagamet (cimetidine hydrochloride)
Avoid Cimetidine Tagamet
Cimetidine is the oldest H2 blocker. It has few side effects, although about 1% of people taking it will have mild temporary diarrhea, dizziness, rash, or headache. Cimetidine interacts with a number of commonly used medications, such as phenytoin, theophylline, and warfarin. Long-term use of this medication has been linked to an increased risk of hip fractures, possibly because stomach acid may be needed to absorb calcium from the diet. Long-term excessive doses (more than 3 grams a day) may cause impotence or breast enlargement in men. These problems get better after the drug is stopped. It has also been noted in the aging population there is a decrease in kidney functioning associated even with low dose use of cimetidine.
It has a weak antiandrogenic effect and may produce gynecomastia in males. Gynecomastia (abnormal breast
development and enlargement in men) has been known to occur with: Tagamet (cimetidine), Axid (nizatidine), Prevacid (lansoprazole),
Nexium (esomeprazole), omeprazole (Prilosec), Aciphex (rabeprazole) and Pepcid (famotidine). Gynecomastia is NOT a reported
side effect associated with:
Zantac (ranitidine)
Kapidex
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
Pantoprazole (Protonix).
