Cimetidine to reduce stomach acid

About cimetidine

Cimetidine belongs to a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. They are called 'histamine H₂-receptor antagonists', but are commonly also called H2 blockers.

Cimetidine is helpful in the treatment of conditions caused by too much acid being produced in the stomach. These conditions include stomach ulcers (gastric ulcers), ulcers of the upper part of the intestine (úlceras duodenais), acid reflux or heartburn (reflux oesophagitis), and indigestion. It can also be used to treat stomach irritation and/or ulceration caused by anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs).

Acid is produced naturally in your stomach to help to digest food. Excessive amounts of acid can irritate the lining of your stomach, causing inflammation, ulcers and other conditions. Cimetidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach. This helps to relieve symptoms and assist the healing process where damage has already occurred.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking cimetidine it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

• Se você tiver algum dos seguintes sintomas: dificuldade para engolir, perda de sangue, perda de peso, ou se estiver vomitando.

• Se você tiver algum problema com o funcionamento do seu fígado ou com o funcionamento dos seus rins.

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a um medicamento.

• Se você estiver tomando outros medicamentos. Isso inclui quaisquer medicamentos que você esteja tomando e que estejam disponíveis para compra sem receita médica, bem como medicamentos fitoterápicos e complementares.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about cimetidine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take cimetidine exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are different strengths of tablets available - 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg. You may be prescribed the tablets to take once, twice, or four times a day. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you and the directions will also be on the label of the pack to remind you what was said.

• You can take cimetidine before or after meals.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, you can take it when you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• A course of treatment can vary in length, depending upon the reason why you are taking cimetidine. It may be just for a few days to relieve your symptoms, or for several weeks to help an ulcer heal. Keep any appointments that you have booked with your doctor so that your progress can be checked.

• Alguns alimentos podem piorar seus sintomas. Alimentos e bebidas que têm sido suspeitos disso incluem hortelã, tomates, chocolate, alimentos picantes, bebidas quentes, café e bebidas alcoólicas. Se parecer que um alimento está agravando seus sintomas, tente evitá-lo por um tempo para ver se seus sintomas melhoram. Além disso, tente evitar comer grandes refeições, pois estas também podem piorar seus sintomas.

• Se você está acima do peso, isso coloca pressão extra no seu estômago e incentiva os sintomas de refluxo ácido. Perder algum peso e seguir uma dieta saudável e equilibrada pode ajudar você.

• Fumar aumenta a quantidade de ácido produzido pelo estômago e pode piorar seus sintomas. Se você é fumante, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico sobre como parar de fumar.

• If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', always check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take alongside your other medicines. Cimetidine can interfere with the way other medicines work.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cimetidine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Se você sentir quaisquer outros sintomas que acha que podem ser devido ao medicamento, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico para mais conselhos.

• Mantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.

• Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.