General Information on Tagamet

Cimetidine is the generic name of Tagamet. It is available in the form of tablets, liquid, and injection, and the active ingredient in the injection and liquid is cimetidine hydrochloride. Tagamet is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of ulcers in the small intestine and the stomach and is also prescribed for gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some doctors also prescribe Tagamet to patients suffering from medical conditions like inflammation of the esophagus or esophagitis. It is known to be a h3 (histamine) blocker, and you can buy Tagamet online if it has been prescribed by your doctor. Tagamet works by blocking histamine, a chemical that stimulates acid release in the stomach, thereby curbing acidity.

Side effects of Tagamet

Tagamet can cause both mild and severe side effects on administration. The most commonly reported symptoms of side effects include a mild form of diarrhea, persistent headaches that range from mild to severe, a mild form of somnolence and dizziness, disorientation, anxiety, psychosis, mental confusion, hallucinations, and depression.

Symptoms of side effects caused by Tagamet have been reported in the endocrine system. Some patients have suffered from gynecomastia as well as reversible impotence. Others have also reported induced endocrine dysfunction. These are serious side effects and any visible symptoms should be reported to the doctor immediately. Some of the other serious side effects of Tagamet include decrease in white blood cell count, neutropenia, pancytopenia, immune hemolytic anemia, liver injury, periportal hepatic fibrosis, pancreatitis, anaphylaxis, interstitial nephritis, urinary retention, polymyositis, and reversible alopecia.

Precautions

Once you buy Tagamet, there are certain precautions that you need to consider before taking the medication. Tagamet is known to have teratogenic effects, so if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to inform your doctor. Cimetidine seeps into breast milk and can affect the health of the child. As a general rule, nursing mothers are advised not to take Tagamet. You need to consult your doctor before taking the drug if you are an immune-compromised patient as Tagamet can increase the risk of hyperinfection of strongyloidiasis.

Tagamet Dosage

Tagamet is available in Tagamet 200mg and Tagamet 400mg strengths. The dosage depends completely on the medical condition that needs to be treated. For patients suffering from active duodenal ulcers, most doctors prescribe a dose of Tagamet 800 mg for a period of 4 weeks. Two doses of Tagamet 400mg should be taken orally with or without food daily. It should never be taken an hour before or after an antacid. If you are taking medicines like cephalosporin or ketoconazole, Tagamet should be taken 2 hours prior to or after these drugs. To treat active benign gastric ulcers, the recommended dose is Tagamet 300 mg four times a day with meals and once at bedtime.

Interactions

Tagamet interacts with several drugs, with the most common being warfarin anticoagulants like diazepam, phenytoin, and nifedipine. It also interacts with certain tricyclic antidepressants like metronidazole and theophylline.