Cimetidine Decreases Theophylline Clearance

Excerpt

Cimetidine, an H-2 receptor antagonist, was introduced in the United States in 1977 for the treatment of duodenal ulcers. Since its introduction, approximately 11 million patients worldwide have been treated with Cimetidine (1). In 1980, Cimetidine was the 15th most commonly prescribed drug in the United States (2). Recently, numerous drug interactions involving Cimetidine have been reported; it has been shown to decrease the clearance of antipyrine, diazepam, and warfarin in humans (3, 4), as well as prolong hexobarbital sleep time and inhibit aminopyrine and caffeine demethylation in rats (5, 6). Recently, prophylactic Cimetidine has been recommended for ulcer patients