Cimetidine, February 27, 1995

Cimetidine, February 27, 1995

An H2 receptor antagonist that significantly inhibits gastric acid secretion caused by histamine and pentagastrin, particularly effectively suppressing postprandial increases in gastric acid. It is indicated for gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, peptic esophagitis, stress-induced gastrointestinal mucosal ulcers, and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Typically taken orally at 0.2 g three times daily.

For stress-induced ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, intravenous injection or intravenous drip is used. A similar drug is ranitidine, also known as furan nitramine. Its dosage is slightly smaller, 150 mg twice daily, with an effect 4–9 times stronger than cimetidine; the intravenous dosage is even smaller, 50 mg, added to glucose solution.