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Effect of cimetidine on renal function in man
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Cimetidine temporarily reduces kidney function, lowering glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow shortly after administration. Kidney function recovers within weeks, but caution is advised for patients with existing kidney issues.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic peptic ulcer disease often requires medication management.
- Cimetidine is a common treatment for peptic ulcers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of cimetidine on renal function in patients with chronic peptic ulcers.
Main Methods:
- Assessed renal function in nine patients before and during cimetidine treatment.
- Measured plasma creatinine, blood urea, and various clearance rates (creatinine, 51Cr EDTA, 125I-hippuran).
- Monitored urinary creatine and creatinine excretion, and serum creatine phosphokinase.
Main Results:
- Cimetidine caused a transient decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow within 6 hours.
- Plasma creatinine levels increased early in treatment and at 3 weeks, but normalized by 12 weeks.
- Creatinine clearance returned to baseline within 12 weeks, while other clearance rates recovered within 3 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Cimetidine induces a short-lived decline in GFR and renal plasma flow.
- Elevated plasma creatinine later in treatment may be due to tubular handling competition, not reduced GFR.
- Caution is recommended when prescribing cimetidine to patients with pre-existing renal impairment.