Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Secretin
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Secretin: 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
H2 antagonists can cause an exaggerated gastrin response to secretin stimulation, producing a false-positive test for gastrinoma. This could lead to misdiagnosis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Secretin 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.
Why it happens
Acid suppression increases gastrin release, distorting the secretin stimulation test.
What to do
Stop cimetidine at least 2 days before secretin stimulation testing, and use alternative symptom control if needed.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Secretin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Secretin 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. H2 antagonists can cause an exaggerated gastrin response to secretin stimulation, producing a false-positive test for gastrinoma. This could lead to misdiagnosis.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Secretin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Stop cimetidine at least 2 days before secretin stimulation testing, and use alternative symptom control if needed.
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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