Cimetedine Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Cimetidine

Brand Name: Apo-Cimetidine (CAN), Gen-Cimetidine (CAN), Novo-Cimetine (CAN), Nu-Cimet (CAN), Peptol (CAN), Tagamet, Tagamet HB, Tagamet HB Suspension

Pregnancy Category B

Drug class: Histamine₂ (H₂) antagonist

Therapeutic actions

Inhibits the action of histamine at the histamine₂ (H₂) receptors of the stomach, inhibiting gastric acid secretion and reducing total pepsin output.

Indications

· Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer

· Short-term treatment of benign gastric ulcer

· Treatment of pathologic hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

· Prophylaxis of stress-induced ulcers and acute upper GI bleeding in critical patients

· Treatment of erosive gastroesophageal reflux

· Relief of symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach (OTC use)

Contraindications

· Allergy to cimetidine, impaired renal or hepatic function, lactation.

Adverse effects

Dizziness, somnolence, headache, confusion, hallucinations, peripheral neuropathy; symptoms of brain stem dysfunction (dysarthria, ataxia, diplopia), Cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, hypotension (IV use), Diarrhea, Increases in plasma creatinine, serum transaminase, Impotence (reversible), gynecomastia (in long-term treatment), rash, vasculitis, pain at IM injection site

Drug Interactions:

· Increased risk of decreased white blood cell counts with antimetabolites, alkylating agents, other drugs known to cause neutropenia

· Increased serum levels and risk of toxicity of warfarin-type anticoagulants, phenytoin, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, alcohol, quinidine, lidocaine, theophylline, chloroquine, certain benzodiazepines (alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, flurazepam, triazolam), nifedipine, pentoxifylline, tricyclic antidepressants, procainamide, carbamazepine when taken with cimetidine

Nursing considerations

· Give drug with meals and at hs.

· Decrease doses in renal and liver dysfunction.

· Administer IM dose undiluted deep into large muscle group.

· Arrange for regular followup, including blood tests to evaluate effects.