Cimetidine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Cimetidine during a consultation by Dr Noor. Cimetidine for pets is discussed below.”
Description:
This medicine reduces stomach acid (it is an “H2 blocker,” meaning it blocks a signal in the body that helps turn on acid production).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Tagamet®
Common Dosage Forms:
- Animal-specific products: None.
- Human products:
- oral tablets in 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg
- an oral liquid that contains 300 mg in 5 mL (which equals 60 mg in each 1 mL)
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to address common questions, but it does not replace advice from a veterinary professional. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information – Cimetidine for pets
- This medicine is used to help treat stomach sores (ulcers) or to help stop them from happening.
- It is most often given about 30 minutes before eating. If your pet throws up or seems unwell when the dose is given on an empty stomach, try giving the next dose with food or a small treat. If your pet keeps vomiting, contact your veterinarian.
- This medicine commonly needs to be given 2 to 4 times each day.
- This medicine can affect how many other medicines work.
- You can buy cimetidine without a prescription (over the counter), but you should only give it to your pet if your veterinarian has told you to.
How is this medication useful?
Cimetidine is used to help prevent and/or treat stomach ulcers.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your pet. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Many medicines can cause issues when used at the same time as cimetidine. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your pet receives, including:
- medicines
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
- treats
Also share how much you give and what time you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your pet has now, or has had before.
- If your pet is pregnant, could become pregnant, or is nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your pet has had medicine-related problems before, including:
- allergic reactions
- not wanting to eat
- loose stool (diarrhea)
- itching
- hair loss
- If your pet has been treated before for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You may notice your pet feels better within 1 to 2 hours after a dose. After that, the signs you are seeing should start to improve.
- This medicine does not last long in the body. Its action ends within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your pet’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your pet.
If your pet has any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about weighing possible risks against possible benefits.
- Pets that have previously had an allergic (hypersensitive) or serious reaction to this medicine or to medicines like it.
- Older pets.
- Pets whose liver or kidneys do not work as well.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Most dogs and cats handle cimetidine well.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Taking too much cimetidine is usually not a major problem, but very large amounts can cause severe poisoning that affects the heart and lungs.
- If you know or suspect your pet received too much, contact your veterinarian right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
- For this medicine to work properly, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. Do not split or crush tablets unless your veterinarian or pharmacist specifically told you to. Always read the prescription label to confirm you are giving the correct medicine and dose.
- Cimetidine is usually given about 30 minutes before a meal, often before the first meal of the day. If your pet vomits or seems sick when it is given without food, give it with the meal instead. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using the liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- Cats often dislike the taste of liquid cimetidine and may drool a lot after it is given. Ask your veterinarian or pharmacist about having it made into capsules or into a flavored liquid to make dosing easier.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medication time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants your pet to keep taking it. You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, skip it and give the next dose at the usual time.
- Then continue with the normal schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give an extra dose.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved container used to organize doses (such as a pill minder).
- Store it at room temperature and keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Keep it away from children and from animals.
- If you have the liquid form, store it exactly as directed, and throw it away by the discard date printed on the prescription label.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- No special safety steps are needed when handling this medicine unless you are allergic to it.
- Wash your hands after touching any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” option, use that.
- If there is no take-back option, combine the medicine with:
- used coffee grounds
- cat litter
so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash.
Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Cimetidine can be purchased without a prescription (over the counter). Do not give cimetidine, or any other over-the-counter medicine, to your pet unless a veterinarian has advised you to.
- Do not switch between forms (for example, changing from tablets to liquid) unless you first check with your veterinarian or pharmacist, because the dose may not match.
- Some animal sports or competitions may not allow this medicine. Check the rules for your pet’s activity before competing while your pet is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”