Cimetidina para reducir el ácido estomacal

About cimetidine

Cimetidine belongs to a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. They are called 'histamine H₂-receptor antagonists', but are commonly also called H2 blockers.

Cimetidine is helpful in the treatment of conditions caused by too much acid being produced in the stomach. These conditions include stomach ulcers (gastric ulcers), ulcers of the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcers), acid reflux or heartburn (reflux oesophagitis), and indigestion. It can also be used to treat stomach irritation and/or ulceration caused by medicamentos antiinflamatorios no esteroides (AINEs).

Acid is produced naturally in your stomach to help to digest food. Excessive amounts of acid can irritate the lining of your stomach, causing inflammation, ulcers and other conditions. Cimetidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach. This helps to relieve symptoms and assist the healing process where damage has already occurred.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking cimetidine it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.

• Si tienes alguno de los siguientes síntomas: dificultad para tragar, pérdida de sangre, pérdida de peso, o si estás vomitando.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tu hígado, o con el funcionamiento de tus riñones.

• Si alguna vez has tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about cimetidine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take cimetidine exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are different strengths of tablets available - 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg. You may be prescribed the tablets to take once, twice, or four times a day. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you and the directions will also be on the label of the pack to remind you what was said.

• You can take cimetidine before or after meals.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, you can take it when you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• A course of treatment can vary in length, depending upon the reason why you are taking cimetidine. It may be just for a few days to relieve your symptoms, or for several weeks to help an ulcer heal. Keep any appointments that you have booked with your doctor so that your progress can be checked.

• Algunos alimentos pueden empeorar tus síntomas. Los alimentos y bebidas que se sospecha que causan esto incluyen menta, tomates, chocolate, alimentos picantes, bebidas calientes, café y bebidas alcohólicas. Si parece que un alimento está agravando tus síntomas, intenta evitarlo por un tiempo para ver si tus síntomas mejoran. Además, trata de evitar comer comidas grandes, ya que estas también pueden empeorar tus síntomas.

• Si tienes sobrepeso, ejerce presión adicional sobre tu estómago y fomenta los síntomas del reflujo ácido. Perder algo de peso y seguir una dieta equilibrada y saludable puede ayudarte.

• Fumar aumenta la cantidad de ácido producido por el estómago y puede empeorar sus síntomas. Si usted es fumador, hable con su médico o farmacéutico sobre cómo dejar de fumar.

• If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', always check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take alongside your other medicines. Cimetidine can interfere with the way other medicines work.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cimetidine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse al medicamento, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.