Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Nifedipine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cimetidine increases nifedipine exposure and may intensify its hypotensive effect. Patients may develop flushing, headache, edema, or excessive blood pressure reduction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Nifedipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of nifedipine and may reduce hepatic blood flow.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension occurs. Consider famotidine as an alternative.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Other interactions of Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Nifedipine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cimetidine increases nifedipine exposure and may intensify its hypotensive effect. Patients may develop flushing, headache, edema, or excessive blood pressure reduction.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the nifedipine dose if hypotension occurs. Consider famotidine as an alternative.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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