Tagamet HB (Cimetidine) - An Effective Antacid
**IMPORTANT: *Nothing in this review should be construed as professional medical advice.*** Tagamet HB, available generically as cimetidine, was one of the first "new" antacids to be introduced. Until the mid-1990's, or so, the only choices people had among antacids were quite benign medications like Tums and Alka-Seltzer (which relied on products like calcium or baking soda). But Tagamet is different. It was a prescription-only drug until 1995, and it remains a prescription product in single unit doses higher than 200 mg. Tagamet is actually a real drug that inhibits gastric secretion. Other similar drugs include Pepcid (famotidine) and Zantac (ranitidine). However, even though these drugs are relatively similar in the way they act, they shouldn't be thought of as essentially the same, since they can work differently. One of the big advantages of Tagamet compared to its competitors is that it may be useful when taken before, during, or after a meal. But one should exercise care when using Tagamet / cimetidine. There have been numerous reports that it can affect the length of time that drugs taken concomitantly stay in the body. This could affect both the potency and effectiveness of the other drug. In particular, studies have indicated that cimetidine extends the life of diazepam (Valium). However, that's just one example, and cimetidine has been shown to interact with a wide variety of drugs. In summary, Tagamet can be a very effective antacid. However, caution should be exercised when taking the product in combination with other medications.
OneMansOpinion
Deerfield Beach, FL