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Home > Drug Category > Disorders of the Digestive Tract (IBS,Crohns Disease,Stomach) > Tagamet and Equivalent

Tagamet Information

Tagamet (cimetidine) is used in adults to treat active sores in the upper part of the intestine and stomach (gastric ulcers) and to prevent intestinal or stomach ulcers from coming back after they have healed. Tagamet is also used to treat and relieve abnormal excessive acid secretion in the stomach caused by a tumour in the pancreas, parathyroid or too many mast cells building up in your body and to treat and prevent ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion and chest pain. Tagamet is also used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a condition where the acid from the stomach persistently escapes into the food pipe causing pain, inflammation, and heartburn. Tagamet is used in children (16 to 18 years of age) with cystic fibrosis to manage their gastrointestinal symptoms. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive tract. Cimetidine belongs to a group of medicines called H2 blockers. It works by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach.

Tagamet Side Effects

The most common side effect of Tagamet may include diarrhea; feeling tired; dizziness; hair loss; joint pain; muscle pain; bloody stools; pain when swallowing; breast growth in males; impotence, this side effect may be reversible after withdrawing the medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects such as:
• Decreased sexual ability (with very high doses of this medication);
• Easy bruising or bleeding, signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, cough, trouble breathing);
• Fast/slow/irregular heartbeat;
• Inflammation of the liver (nausea or vomiting that doesn't stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes or skin);
• Inflammatory muscle disease (muscle weakness);
• Mental or mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations);
• Signs of kidney problems (change in the amount of urine, inability to pass urine);
• Unusual tiredness.

Tagamet Precautions

Do not use Tagamet tablets if you are allergic to cimetidine or to any other ingredients in this medication. Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history including if you are middle-aged or over, with new or recently changed indigestion symptoms (e.g. stomach pain or discomfort, heartburn); have kidney problems; are undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Tagamet is not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding as Tagamet passes through breast milk. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or before breast-feeding. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Tagamet and other medications such as medicines used to treat high blood pressure.

Do I need a prescription to order Tagamet?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Tagamet.