LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Cimetidine
built 236 days ago
Cimetidine was the very first drug specifically designed to block the acid producing cell in the stomach. The location of cimetidine's action within the cell is the histamine 2 site so this and other drugs like it are called histamine 2 receptor antagonists or H2RA for short. The drug proved to be remarkably effective in healing and preventing the return of ulcers. It has been found to be fairly safe for long-term use as well. Since the generic form is the least expensive way of controlling stomach acid, many physicians recommend this preparation for various stomach acid conditions when it proves to be effective.
Source:
Cimetidine is one of the most potent H2 receptor antagonists for inhibiting excessive histamine-induced acid secretion and is currently used worldwide to treat peptic ulcers. In this study, levels of free radicals were assessed and the ability of cimetidine to act as an antioxidant was determined using nitroblue-tetrazolium assay and lipid peroxidation assays. Free radical generation in the brain is promoted by the presence of iron, as occurs in the Fenton reaction. The results show that cimetidine reduces the generation of superoxide anion formed in the nitroblue-tetrazolium assay. In addition, cimetidine (1 mM) is able to reduce the iron-induced rise in lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates. Electrochemistry, UV/Vis spectroscopy and HPLC experiments show metal-ligand interactions between cimetidine and transition metals.
Source:
Cimetidine has been shown to have beneficial effects in colorectal cancer patients. In this study, a total of 64 colorectal cancer patients who received curative operation were examined for the effects of cimetidine treatment on survival and recurrence. The cimetidine group was given 800 mg day-1 of cimetidine orally together with 200 mg day-1 of 5-fluorouracil, while the control group received 5-fluorouracil alone. The treatment was initiated 2 weeks after the operation and terminated after 1 year. Robust beneficial effects of cimetidine were noted: the 10-year survival rate of the cimetidine group was 84.6% whereas that of control group was 49.8% (P<0.0001). According to our previous observations that cimetidine blocked the expression of E-selectin on vascular endothelium and inhibited the adhesion of cancer cells to the endothelium, we have further stratified the patients according to the expression levels of sialyl Lewis antigens X (sLx) and A (sLa).
Source:
Cimetidine has been shown to have a significant anticancer effect on many different cancers. It is a cheap, generic drug that is available from pharmacies without prescription in the USA and in limited quantities without prescription in Britain. While it inhibits the uptake of some anticoagulant drugs, its side effects are negligible at the recommended dose of 1,000 mg per day and can safely be taken both for its anti-cancer properties in people with the disease or as a prophylactic if cancer is suspected.
Source:
Cimetidine (Tagamet), commonly used to treat stomach ulcers and one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S., has shown immune enhancing and antitumor activity in recent studies. In its original use, cimetidine worked by blocking the receptors on stomach cells which control digestive acid secretions. Cimetidine has ... been shown to be useful for controlling herpes simplex and herpes zoster outbreaks, as well as chronic Epstein-Barr infection. (Cimetidine can slow the metabolism of other drugs, leading to increased concentrations of them in the bloodstream. This is important for drug interactions/half-life considerations.)
Source:
Cimetidine has been reported to decrease the biotransformation of drugs metabolized by the MFOE system. Additionally, cimetidine decreases liver blood flow and increases the bioavailability of drugs with high hepatic extraction ratios. Patients receiving cimetidine in conjunction with drugs known to interact with cimetidine in conjunction with drugs known to interact with cimetidine are at risk of experiencing toxicity. When appropriate, reducing the dosage of these agents or switching to an alternative drug will minimize the incidence of side effects. Clinicians should be suspicious if patients experience exaggerated drug effects when cimetidine therapy is begun.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Cimetidine