Cat & Dog - Cimetidine

Why has my veterinary surgeon prescribed this medicine?

Cimetidine is used for the reduction of vomiting associated with chronic gastritis.  Your veterinary surgeon may also prescribe cimetidine for stomach or intestinal ulcers.  Reduced gastric acid production allows the ulcer to heal.  Cimetidine has also been used to treat reflux and hypersecretory conditions.

Your veterinary surgeon will also advise you on dietary measures for your dog.

How does this medicine work?

Cimetidine is a histamine-blocking agent that helps reduce the amount of gastric acid secreted in the stomach.

• How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinary surgeon.  READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time(s) each day.
• DO NOT give your pet more medicine than directed and DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
• DO NOT stop giving this medication to your pet unless directed by your veterinary surgeon. Contact your veterinary surgeon in advance if your pet needs a repeat prescription.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.
• Wash your hands after handling the medication.
• In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the package, leaflet or label to the physician.

What if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible.  If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule.  Do not give your pet two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine out of reach of children. Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature.  Store away from heat and direct sunlight.  Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places.  The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

Potential side effects

• Although a drug has potential side effects, it does not mean that there is necessarily a high risk of any of these occurring.  Tell your veterinary surgeon if you think your pet may be pregnant or is nursing puppies.
• Side effects with cimetidine include slight swelling of mammary glands in bitches.  If these side effects persist or are troublesome, contact your veterinary surgeon.

Possible drug interactions

• Make sure to tell your veterinary surgeon what other medication you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often your veterinary surgeon may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated.  In this case, your veterinary surgeon may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• Drugs may interact such that they can cause an increased or decreased effect or side effects. The metabolism and elimination of certain drugs, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, phenytoin, theophylline, aminophylline, warfarin and lidocaine, may be reduced and the dose of these drugs may need to be reduced if given with cimetidine.
• If cimetidine must be given with antacids or drugs (metoclopramide, sucralfate, digoxin and/or ketoconazole), give cimetidine at least 2 hours before or after the other drugs or antacids, whenever possible.
• Contact your veterinary surgeon if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.