acid reducerPrescription only (Schedule H)
Cimetidine
सिमेटिडिन
Cimetidine is an acid reducer tablet that relieves and prevents heartburn from acid indigestion. The label advises not to use it for more than 14 days without a doctor, and to see a doctor for warning signs such as bloody vomit or black stools.
- Generic name
- Cimetidine
- Used for
- Relief and prevention of heartburn from acid indigestion and sour stomach.
- Label used
- Tablets label, oral, DailyMed set 81dbc581, effective 2026-08
- Prescription status (India)
- Prescription only (Schedule H) in the lists we checked
- On NLEM 2022
- Not found in the list we checked
- NPPA price ceiling
- Not listed in the lists we checked
More facts
- Jan Aushadhi
- Not found in the list we checked
- Banned combinations
- None found in the list we checked
Compiled from official drug labels and Indian government sources. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
Safety at a glance
- AlcoholNot mentioned in label text
- PregnancyCaution in label textSee wording
- BreastfeedingCaution in label textSee wording
- DrivingCaution in label textSee wording
- KidneyCaution in label textSee wording
- LiverCaution in label textSee wording
Taken only from the label text cited on this page. "Not mentioned" does not mean safe. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is cimetidine used for?
The label describes cimetidine for relief of heartburn linked to acid indigestion and sour stomach.
It can also be used to prevent heartburn brought on by certain foods and drinks.
- Relieves heartburn from acid indigestion
- Prevents food- and drink-triggered heartburn
It relieves and prevents heartburn.
Source1
How does cimetidine work?
The label we reviewed does not describe how cimetidine works.
It does classify it as an acid reducer.
The label we reviewed does not explain how it works.
Source1
How is cimetidine usually taken?
This page covers the US label for cimetidine tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.
This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.
For adults and children 12 and over, the label describes swallowing 1 tablet with a glass of water to relieve symptoms.
To prevent symptoms, it describes taking 1 tablet right before, or up to 30 minutes before, eating or drinking something that triggers heartburn. No more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.
For children under 12, the label says to ask a doctor.
- Swallow with a glass of water
- For prevention, take up to 30 minutes before the trigger
- Maximum 2 tablets in 24 hours
- Under 12: ask a doctor
Swallow one tablet with water, up to twice in 24 hours.
Source1
What are the side effects of cimetidine?
Common
- Breast enlargement in men has been reported with treatment lasting a month or longer.
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Breast enlargement in men
Serious: get help
- Another US label for this medicine lists diarrhoea (usually mild), headache, dizziness and drowsiness. Reversible confusion has occurred mainly in severely ill patients.
- Confusion, mainly in severely ill people
Headache, diarrhoea and dizziness are reported; confusion can occur.
Who should be careful with cimetidine?
Do not use if allergic to cimetidine or other acid reducers, if you have trouble or pain swallowing, vomit blood, or pass bloody or black stools, or with other acid reducers.
Ask a doctor before use with frequent chest pain, wheezing, unexplained weight loss, heartburn over 3 months, or kidney or liver disease.
Stop and ask a doctor if you need it for more than 14 days or symptoms continue or worsen. Ask a health professional first if pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Not with allergy to acid reducers
- Not with blood in vomit or black stools
- Not with other acid reducers
- Stop if needed beyond 14 days
- Ask before use in kidney or liver disease
See a doctor for warning signs and do not use beyond 14 days on your own.
Source1
What medicines interact with cimetidine?
- Warfarin-type anticoagulants
- Phenytoin
- Theophylline
- Propranolol, nifedipine, diazepam, lidocaine
- The label tells people on a prescription drug to ask a doctor or pharmacist first, as acid reducers may interact.
- Another US label says cimetidine reduces liver breakdown of warfarin-type anticoagulants, phenytoin, propranolol, nifedipine, theophylline, lidocaine, diazepam, metronidazole and certain tricyclic antidepressants.
No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.
It can raise blood levels of several prescription medicines.
How should cimetidine be stored?
The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.
Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.
Follow the storage instructions on your pack.
Source1
Is cimetidine a prescription medicine in India?
In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, cimetidine is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 111 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.
We did not find cimetidine on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in the list we checked.
Prescription medicine (Schedule H), not found on NLEM 2022.
Source3
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking cimetidine?
The label we reviewed does not say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Source1
Is cimetidine safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
The label says to ask a health professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Source1
Should cimetidine be taken with food?
For prevention, the label describes taking it up to 30 minutes before eating or drinking trigger foods. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Source1
Can cimetidine affect driving or alertness?
The label we reviewed does not say. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Source1
Can children or older adults take cimetidine?
The label says children under 12 should ask a doctor. It does not cover older adults. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Source1
Is cimetidine on the NLEM and Jan Aushadhi list?
We did not find it on NLEM 2022. We did not find cimetidine in the Jan Aushadhi list we checked.
Source3
Sources
- 1U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (81dbc581-aa51-46bf-8b69-6d926de2f583) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 2U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (06c0a509-026f-44e0-9975-a94a8de51d43) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 3Drugs Rules 1945, Schedules (2022 consolidation) (Schedule H, Schedule H, serial 111 (rules 65 and 97)) Open source · 2026-10-15
Compiled by software from the sources above and checked by automated rules. Last checked: 2026-10-15 · How we use sources · Report a correction
This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not tell you what dose you personally should take. In an emergency call 112.