How Physicians Use Cimetidine

Abstract

WHEN the Food and Drug Administration released cimetidine for clinical use in 1977, only two indications were approved; short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer, and treatment of pathologic gastric acid hypersecretory conditions. Nevertheless, physicians presumably prescribe the drug for a much broader range of indications, since sales now amount to $500 million annually. Because little information is available about how cimetidine is actually used in clinical practice, we prospectively surveyed 200 consecutive patients who received cimetidine while hospitalized. We also reviewed published reports concerned with side effects of cimetidine and determined why the drug had been given to the 102 patients . . .