Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Zolmitriptan
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Zolmitriptan: 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 roughly doubles the half-life and exposure of zolmitriptan and its active N-desmethyl metabolite. This can increase triptan adverse effects such as raised blood pressure, dizziness, and chest or throat tightness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Zolmitriptan 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; Zolmitriptan belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits CYP1A2 and other enzymes involved in zolmitriptan and metabolite clearance, reducing its elimination.
What to do
Limit zolmitriptan to a maximum of 2.5 mg per single dose and 5 mg in 24 hours while taking cimetidine. Consider an H2 blocker such as 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cimetidine and Zolmitriptan, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Zolmitriptan
- Almotriptan + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
- Ergoloid mesylates + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Zolmitriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Zolmitriptan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Zolmitriptan 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 roughly doubles the half-life and exposure of zolmitriptan and its active N-desmethyl metabolite. This can increase triptan adverse effects such as raised blood pressure, dizziness, and chest or throat tightness.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Zolmitriptan?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Limit zolmitriptan to a maximum of 2.5 mg per single dose and 5 mg in 24 hours while taking cimetidine. Consider an H2 blocker such as 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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
