Cimetidine Tablets 800mg
KEEP ALL MEDICATION OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICINE PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY. This leaflet contains a summary of the information about your medicine, Cimetidine Tablets.
YOUR MEDICINE
Your medicine is in the form of a tablet. There are three strengths of Cimetidine Tablets available, 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg. The 200 mg tablet contains 200 mg of the active ingredient Cimetidine, whilst one 400 mg tablet contains 400 mg of active ingredient and one 800 mg tablet contains 800 mg of Cimetidine. Each tablet also contains sodium starch glycollate, povidone, magnesium stearate, purified water,
microcrystalline cellulose (only found in 200 mg and 400 mg tablets), maize starch (only found in 200 mg and 400 mg tablets), E464, E171, E172, E132, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylcellulose and carnauba wax.
Cimetidine Tablets 200 mg are available in blister packs of 60 tablets.
Cimetidine Tablets 400 mg are available in blister packs of 60 tablets.
Cimetidine Tablets 800 mg are available in blister packs of 30 tablets.
Your pharmacist will dispense the number of tablets prescribed by your doctor.
Product Licence Holder and Manufacturer: Generics [UK] Limited, Station Close, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 1TL.
HOW DOES YOUR MEDICINE WORK ?
Your tablet contains Cimetidine, which helps to prevent the secretion of acid from the stomach. This means that these tablets can help treat conditions characterised by too much stomach acid, including ulcers of the small intestine, non-cancerous gastric (stomach) ulcers including those caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, recurrent ulcers and ulcers at the site of gastric surgery, reflux oesophagitis (burning pain in the gullet due to reflux of stomach acid). It can also help in the treatment of persistent dyspeptic (indigestion) symptoms with or without ulceration. Cimetidine can also help prevent bleeding from the stomach or duodenum due to stress ulcers in seriously ill patients; or prevent the aspiration of acid into the lungs in patients about to receive general anaesthesia. Cimetidine can also help to reduce malabsorption of food and liquids from the bowel in the short bowel syndrome and in pancreatic insufficiency. It can also help in a rare condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition characterised by very high stomach acid secretion).
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE ?
You must tell your doctor before taking your medicine if:
• you have taken Cimetidine before and suffered an unusual or allergic reaction
• you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• you are taking drugs to prevent blood clots (eg. Warfarin) or drugs such as Phenytoin (for epilepsy) or Theophylline (for breathing problems)
• you need to have an intravenous injection of Lignocaine to regulate your heartbeat
• you suffer from kidney or liver disease
• you are on drug treatment or have an illness which you know affects your blood.
DO NOT take these tablets if you may be allergic to any of the ingredients listed above.
HOW SHOULD YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICINE ?
ADULTS
Duodenal or benign gastric ulceration. A single daily dose of 800 mg at bedtime is recommended. Otherwise 400 mg twice a day with breakfast and at bedtime is normal.
Depending on your symptoms your doctor may wish to treat you with 200 mg three times a day with meals and 400 mg at bedtime. If this does not control your symptoms your doctor may increase this to 400 mg four times a day with meals and at night.
Relief of your symptoms will usually be rapid and treatment should last for at least 4 weeks up to 8 weeks. Most ulcers will have healed by this time. If you continue to suffer from symptoms or if you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs your doctor may wish to repeat the course of treatment.
Your doctor may wish to continue your treatment for longer periods of time, however he may reduce your dose of Cimetidine to 400 mg at bedtime or 400 mg at breakfast and 400 mg at night. To prevent your ulcer recurring your doctor may tell you to continue to take Cimetidine 400 mg at bedtime or 400 mg at breakfast and 400 mg at night for a prolonged period.
Oesophageal reflux. If you suffer from oesophageal reflux your doctor may prescribe 400 mg of Cimetidine four times a day with meals and at bedtime for 4 to 8 weeks or longer.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. The usual dose of 400 mg of Cimetidine four times a day. However your doctor may increase your dose further.
Prevention of stress ulcers. To prevent ulcers in seriously ill patients your doctor may prescribe 200 mg to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours up to a maximum daily dose of 2.4 g (6 x 400 mg tablets).
Prevention of acid aspiration. To prevent the aspiration (breathing in) of acid stomach contents before general anaesthesia 400 mg can be given 90-120 minutes before anaesthesia, and then 400 mg given every 4 hours thereafter to a maximum of 2.4 g. Short bowel syndrome. In the short bowel syndrome the usual daily dosage should be used according to the individual response.
Pancreatic insufficiency. Patients with pancreatic insufficiency may be prescribed 800 mg-1600 mg in divided doses 1 to 1.5 hours before meals.
CHILDREN
In children older than one year of age the normal daily dose is 25-30 mg per kilogram body weight in divided doses.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose though, do not double the dose, just carry on as before.
IF YOU TAKE TOO MUCH OF YOUR MEDICATION CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
CAN YOUR MEDICINE HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS ?
The most common side effects due to Cimetidine are diarrhoea, dizziness, skin rash and tiredness.
Rarely: • gynaecomastia (development of breasts) • reversible liver upset • confusion which disappears on stopping treatment • a fall in the platelet and white blood cell count
• headache.
Very rarely • aplastic anaemia, a fall in the blood cells produced in the bone marrow
• reversible kidney disease • reversible inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
• fever, muscle pain, and arthritis • a slow heart beat, which may make you feel dizzy or tired •tallergic reactions including anaphylactic shock - this reaction is characterised by swelling of the face and neck, accompanied by a tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY.
If you should suffer from any of these undesired effects or any other undesired effect please tell your pharmacist or doctor.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE AFTER THE EXPIRY DATE SHOWN ON THE CARTON.
REMEMBER this medicine was prescribed by your doctor for you. DO NOT give it to others. It may harm them. Protect from light. Store in a dry place below 25C.