Impaired cimetidine absorption due to antacids and metoclopramide

Summary In 8 healthy subjects the absorption of cimetidine was investigated when given alone, together with 60 ml aluminium/magnesium hyroxyde containing antacid (neutralising capacity 26 mmol HCl/10 ml), and together with liquid metoclopramide 14 mg. The antacid significantly (P<0.01) reduced the bioavailability (area under the plasma level-time curve) of cimetidine, on average by one third. Metoclopramide also reduced the bioavailability by an average of 22%. The reductions were associated with significantly reduced excretion of cimetidine in urine. There was no change in the half-life or renal clearance of cimetidine, supporting the hypothesis of reduced gastrointestinal absorption. The results indicate that cimetidine and antacids should not be given together, and that the dose of cimetidine may have to be increased if it is administered concomitantly with metoclopramide.