**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

Tagamet is the only medicine that I use for heartburn. While I like other products like Rolaids for upset stomachs, they do not work as well as Tagamet does for heartburn. I take this product after heartburn has already started and it makes me feel better much more quickly than other products. I can only assume that if you knew something would give you heartburn that this product would be able to help prevent it due to its normal quick reaction time. Heartburn can be so painful that it stops me from being able to do things I want to do and this can help relieve that so that I can get on with my daily life. It also lasts for a long time so my heartburn goes away before I feel like I would have to take more, which I have not found to be true with other medications. I definitely would recommend this product for its quick and long lasting heartburn relief.

mentalstaples

Pittsburgh, PA

I first started experiencing heartburn and a sour stomach after the birth of my daughter. My pharmacist recommended this to me and it has been a staple in my medicine cabinet ever since. If you are looking for fast relief this is not the product for you, it takes a while to really start working. This is something to be a part of your preventative regimen instead of a quick fix. For me, it does provide great relief. When I first started taking it, I was at the point that I would have to prop myself up on pillows just to be able to sleep to keep the acid down. Now, I no longer experience heartburn to that extent. I do still have occasional bouts of heartburn but now it is only mild and very manageble.

Ktkmom

Nicholasville, KY

This is the best medication for settling my stomach that I have ever tried.  Most foods give me some type of irritation, whether it be a burning sensation or reflux.  The first time I tried it, I was ecstatic!!  I finally found something that I could take that stopped all my symptoms.  It is rather pricey, but worth it.  I spoke with my gastro doctor  regarding this medication.  He is now recommending it for me when I need something to stop the irritation. The best way that I can describe the feeling is soothing.  It works well if you take it prior to onset of symptoms or after the irritation begins.   This medication used to be available only by prescription.  I am happy that it is now an over the counter medication.  I am always seeking coupons for this medication.  Usually, there are coupons for it in the Sunday newspaper or on their website.  I try to ensure that I have it on hand at all times. 

dawna0123

SmallTown, TX

Okay, so I get heartburn. I watch what I eat, but I still get it.  So, even when I think I'm eating okay, I start feeling it building up at night.  I know I'm not going to be able to sleep, so I take the Tagamet.  It doesn't work right away, and I can't tell you when it hits, but I can say my heartburn never builds up bad enough to feel like I need to vomit. AND, it doesn't keep me up.  As soon as I start feeling the build-up/pain coming up the back of my throat, I take it...and forget it.  It's gone.  Yeah, you have to take it everytime, and I'm sure it would probably completely relieve any symptoms if taken in advance (which IS an option).  BUT, for those of us that think our meal is perfectly innocent, and find out AFTER the fact that it wasn't, this is the cure.  I buy extra to keep on hand, heaven forbid I were ever to run out. Take it before your meal for best results, but don't sweat it if you didn't, you'll still get relief!

bribaile

Cayce, SC

Tagamet works well for me when my heartburn is not excruiciating.  However when my heartburn is excruciating nothing works, so I guess that's saying something.  Tagamet works better for me when I take it before eating meals that are greasy.  Luckily I rarely get heartburn, so I don't have to take this often, but when I do start to feel it coming on I quickly drink a glass of water, and then I take a Tagamet with a glass of water. Then I pray for the best.  Usually I feel better within the hour.  Now when I take it before eating greasy meals I never get heartburn, but sometimes I just plain forget or I don't have it on hand. Tagamet is worth the cost for me, and there are also store brand versions which are slightly less expensive when I'm on a tight budget. I would recommend this product for someone to take before eating foods that cause them heartburn, but I'm not sure that I would highly recommend them to take it at the onset of heartburn though since it does not always work for me when my heartburn has begun already.

tinyscrapper

Aubrey, TX

I have had heartburn so bad before I had to leave work to buy tagamet. There are so many new heartburn reliever products on the shelves nowadays, and I have tried a few but none do the job quite like tagamet. It has always worked for me and I count on fast relief when *I take tagamet.Heartburn can be so debilitating, so painful...you might even suspect that you were having a heart attack. I know it has frightened me before, so I try to make sure I have tagamet on hand. When I get down to my last one or two I put tagamet on my grocery list. Actually, even my grown children prefer tagamet which they somehow manage to pickup a few for later whenever they visit my house.I will even go out of the way to do my shopping going to a store that I know carries tagamet if its on my grocery list. Its worth it when that dreaded heartburn hits but you dont have to worry if you have tagamet in your medicine cabinet. TAGAMET IS AWESOME!!!*

scarlett333

Knoxville, TN

Tagamet 200 mg tablets in maximum dosage are great for inhibiting diarrhea and vomiting from upset stomach, whether I am suffering from the flu or a 24-hour stomach virus. If my stomach is too upset to eat, I can always rely on Tagamet to relieve the pain and symptom so I can eat a regular meal. Truthfully, it's like a wonder drug. Tagamet  not only releives the severe pain and cramping associated with stomach viruses, but also stops the loss of bodily fluids associated with vomiting and diarrhea.

rubrtoe

Orlando, FL

I suffer from GERD and bought Smithkline Beeham Tagament for relief.  I tried this prouct for a month.  It did not work.  There was no relief fo my symptoms at anytime. I would take more and more trying to relievethe symptoms and no relief was giving.

saffire

Norfolk, VA