cimetidine

noun

ci·​met·​i·​dine sī-ˈme-tə-ˌdēn How to pronounce cimetidine (audio)
: a histamine analog C10H16N6S that inhibits gastric acid secretion and is used especially in the treatment of duodenal ulcers

Examples of cimetidine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sucralfates Histamine receptor antagonist (H2RAs) such as cimetidine and ranitidine. Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 23 Aug. 2025 Researchers offering case reports of success with cimetidine against shingles have called for robust clinical trials. Joe and Teresa Graedon, oregonlive, 29 May 2023 Alternative histamine blockers like famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet) have so far not been found to contain NDMA, Dr. Smith said, and neither has Prilosec nor other proton pump inhibitors. Christina Caron, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2020 To date, the FDA's testing has not found NDMA in famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or omeprazole (Prilosec). USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2020 Other heartburn medications, such as famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) have not tested positive for signs of NDMA. NBC News, 20 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

ci- (alteration of cyan-) + methyl + -idine

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cimetidine was in 1975

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Cite this Entry

“Cimetidine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cimetidine. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

cimetidine

noun
ci·​met·​i·​dine sī-ˈmet-ə-ˌdēn How to pronounce cimetidine (audio)
: an H2 antagonist C10H16N6S that like histamine contains the ring structure of imidazole and is used to inhibit gastric acid secretion in conditions in which such secretion produces duodenal or gastric ulcers or erosive lesions (as in serious cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease) see tagamet

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