|  |
 | Are there any interactions with H2-receptor blockers? |
|  H2-receptor blockers are a group of medications that prevent the release of stomach acid and are used to treat heartburn and ulcer. They include cimetidine (brand name Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid). These drugs are available over the counter in low doses to treat minor heartburn. They’re prescribed in higher doses to treat a more severe type of heartburn called reflux disease (also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), stomach ulcers, and intestinal ulcers. Of all the drugs in this group, Tagamet is most likely to interact with other drugs. It increases amounts of the following drugs in the body, producing side effects.ketoconazole (Nizoral)amiodarone (Cordarone)cisapride (Propulsid)citalopram (Celexa)diazepam (Valium)metformin (Glucophage)phenytoin (Dilantin)nifedipine (Procardia)procainamide (Procan-SR)theophylline (Theo-Dur)warfarin (Coumadin)carbamazepine (Tegretol)propranolol (Inderal)desipramine (Norpramin)amitryptyline (Elavil)verapamil (Calan)Zantac, Pepcid, and Axid are less likely to cause problems, but do interact with the following drugs.cefpodoxime (Vantin)cefuroxime (Ceftin)ketoconazole (Nizoral)glipizide (Glucotrol)glyburide (DiaBeta)nifedipine (Procardia)You can avoid drug interactions by reading labels carefully and discussing all the medicines (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal) you take with your pharmacist and doctor. Sources:Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Applied Therapeutics, 1999.Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.This answer prepared 5/22/2000. This information updated 12/6/2006. |
| drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out. |
|
| |
