Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between cimetidine and Metro IV

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Minor

metroNIDAZOLE cimetidine

Applies to: Metro IV (metronidazole) and cimetidine

Coadministration with cimetidine may increase the serum concentrations of nitroimidazoles. The interaction has been reported with metronidazole. In six healthy volunteers, the half-life of a single 400 mg intravenous dose of metronidazole increased from 6.2 to 7.9 hours following six days of cimetidine administration. The plasma clearance was reduced 30%. The proposed mechanism is cimetidine inhibition of the hepatic metabolism of metronidazole. No data are available for tinidazole. This interaction is unlikely to be of clinical significance.

References

  1. Gugler R, Jensen JC "Interaction between cimetidine and metronidazole." N Engl J Med 309 (1983): 1518-9
  2. Loft S, Sonne J, Poulsen HE, Peterson KT, Jorgensen BG, Dossing M "Inhibition and induction of metronidazole and antipyrine metabolism." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 32 (1987): 35-41
  3. Loft S, Dossing M, Sonne J, Dalhof K, Bjerrum K, Poulsen HE "Lack of effect of cimetidine on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of a single oral dose of metronidazole." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 35 (1988): 65-8
  4. "Product Information. Tindamax (tinidazole)." Presutti Laboratories Inc (2004):
View all 4 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Drug and food interactions

Major

metroNIDAZOLE food

Applies to: Metro IV (metronidazole)

CONTRAINDICATED: Use of alcohol or products containing alcohol during nitroimidazole therapy may result in a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients. There have been a few case reports involving metronidazole, although data overall are not convincing. The presumed mechanism is inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) by metronidazole in a manner similar to disulfiram. Following ingestion of alcohol, inhibition of ALDH results in increased concentrations of acetaldehyde, the accumulation of which can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. However, some investigators have questioned the disulfiram-like properties of metronidazole. One study found neither elevations in blood acetaldehyde nor objective or subjective signs of a disulfiram-like reaction to ethanol in six subjects treated with metronidazole (200 mg three times a day for 5 days) compared to six subjects who received placebo.

MANAGEMENT: Because clear evidence is lacking concerning the safety of ethanol use during nitroimidazole therapy, patients should be apprised of the potential for interaction. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and products containing propylene glycol is specifically contraindicated during and for at least 3 days after completion of metronidazole and benznidazole therapy according to their product labeling.

References

  1. Giannini AJ, DeFrance DT "Metronidazole and alcohol: potential for combinative abuse." J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 20 (1983): 509-15
  2. Alexander I "Alcohol-antabuse syndrome in patients receiving metronidazole during gynaecological treatment." Br J Clin Pract 39 (1985): 292-3
  3. Harries DP, Teale KF, Sunderland G "Metronidazole and alcohol: potential problems." Scott Med J 35 (1990): 179-80
  4. "Product Information. Flagyl (metronidazole)." Searle PROD (2001):
  5. Edwards DL, Fink PC, Van Dyke PO "Disulfiram-like reaction associated with intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and metronidazole." Clin Pharm 5 (1986): 999-1000
  6. Williams CS, Woodcock KR "Do ethanol and metronidazole interact to produce a disulfiram-like reaction?." Ann Pharmacother 34 (2000): 255-7
  7. Visapaa JP, Tillonen JS, Kaihovaara PS, Salaspuro MP "Lack of disulfiram-like reaction with metronidazole and ethanol." Ann Pharmacother 36 (2002): 971-4
  8. Krulewitch CJ "An unexpected adverse drug effect." J Midwifery Womens Health 48 (2003): 67-8
  9. "Product Information. Benznidazole (benznidazole)." Everett Laboratories Inc (2017):
View all 9 references

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Concurrent use of cimetidine and ethanol may result in increased ethanol concentrations. The mechanism appears to be due to inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase by cimetidine, leading to increased bioavailability of the alcohol and inhibition of hepatic metabolism of alcohol. The clinical significance of this interaction is limited. More importantly, patients requiring cimetidine for gastrointestinal disease should be counseled to avoid alcohol to prevent worsening of their disease. The other H-2 receptor antagonists appear to have minimal effects on the concentrations of alcohol.

References

  1. Feely J, Wood AJ "Effects of cimetidine on the elimination and actions of ethanol." JAMA 247 (1982): 2819-21
  2. Hansten PD "Effects of H2-receptor antagonists on blood alcohol levels." JAMA 267 (1992): 2469

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Caffeine effects may be increased in patients also taking cimetidine. The mechanism may be due to decreased caffeine metabolism induced by cimetidine. Although adequate clinical data are lacking, a reduction in dose or elimination of caffeine may be needed if excess CNS stimulation is observed.

References

  1. "Product Information. Tagamet (cimetidine)." SmithKline Beecham PROD (2001):
  2. Broughton LJ, Rodgers HJ "Decreased systenuc clearance of caffeine due to cimetidine." Br J Clin Pharmacol 12 (1981): 155-9

Switch to consumer interaction data

Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.

References

  1. Bendayan R, Sullivan JT, Shaw C, Frecker RC, Sellers EM "Effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the hepatic and renal elimination of nicotine in humans." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 38 (1990): 165-9

Switch to consumer interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer