Patient Information Leaflet on
Tagamet
(cimetidine) InfusionThis leaflet tells you about your medicine. Please read it before you are given your treatment.
It there is anything you do not understand or you want to know more about your medicine, ask your doctor or nurse.
Please keep this leaflet You may want to read it again.
What is in ‘Tagamet’ infusion?
Your Infusion contains the active ingredient cimetidine. Each single dose pack contains 400 milligrammes (mg) cimetidine in 100 ml Your Infusion also contains inactive ingredients These are concentrated hydrochloric acid (E507), sodium hydroxide (E524), sodium chloride and water for injections.
The sodium content of 'Tagamet' Infusion is 3.5 mg/ml.
Your medicine is available in boxes of 20 VIAFLEX™ Plus single-dose packs.
What is ‘Tagamet’ and how does it work?
Your medicine is known as a histamine H2 antagonist. It works by reducing the natural production of acid in the stomach.
Who makes ‘Tagamet’ Infusion?
The Product Licence/Authorisation holder is Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd, trading as SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England AL7 1EY.
Your medicine is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare SA, Castlebar Co. Mayo, Ireland.
What is ‘Tagamet’ used for?
Your medicine is used to treat and relieve the symptoms of stomach and duodenal ulcers, oesophageal reflux disease and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
It will also help the healing of ulcers and reduce the inflammation due to these conditions.
Your medicine may also be prescribed for a range of other medical conditions where the reduction of acid production in the stomach is needed.
Before you are given your medicine
If you answer YES to any of the following questions, tell your doctor or nurse BEFORE you are given your medicine. You may need to be given another medicine or the dose may need to be changed.
- Are you allergic to 'Tagamet' (cimetidine)?
- Do you have a kidney problem?
- Do you have a blood disease?
- Have you had a stomach ulcer or a duodenal ulcer before? You should discuss this with your doctor, particularly if you are taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Are you breast feeding?
Are you taking any of the medicines listed below?
- Medicines to thin your blood (anticoagulants)
- Medicines to prevent fits (anticonvulsants) e.g. phenytoin
- Theophylline
- Lignocaine
How will you be given your medicine?
Your medicine will be given to you by infusion. (Your medicine will be given to you slowly from a bag and through a needle into your arm). The length of the treatment will be decided by your doctor.
The doctor will also decide how much you need each day and how often the infusions should be given. The maximum recommended dose of 'Tagamet' is 2.4 g a day.
If you think you have missed an infusion speak to a nurse or doctor.
What unwanted effects might your medicine cause?
Side effects with your medicine are usually mild and do not last long. The most common unwanted effects are diarrhoea, dizziness, rash or tiredness.
Other, more rare side effects, are confusion, breast enlargement in men, blood changes, kidney disorders, liver disorders, inflammation of the pancreas, fever, headache, aching muscles, aching joints, heart effects and impotence. All these side effects should disappear when treatment is stopped.
Very rarely allergic reactions (rash, itching, shortness of breath and low blood pressure) and hair loss have occurred.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of these effects or any other unwanted effects not mentioned above.
Storing your medicine
- This infusion should be stored below 25°C, protected from light, until it is administered to you
- The doctor or nurse should check that the expiry date on the pack has not been passed.
Leaflet prepared May 1995
'Tagamet' and the SB logo are trade marks
© 1995 SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
