Cimetidine-Induced Coma in Cirrhosis of the Liver
- Milton L. Levine, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
To the Editor.— Cimetidine, a potent H2-receptor antagonist, has been recently introduced for the suppression of gastric acid secretion.1,2 This medication has the ability to produce gynecomastia and breast swelling when used for a prolonged period (as in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)3 and apparently has a mild sedative effect when given orally.4 Although the usual route of administration is oral, the medication can be given intramuscularly and intravenously (IV). I recently observed a patient in whom profound coma developed while receiving cimetidine, which reversed when the therapy was discontinued. I believe this potential side effect of cimetidine should be brought to the attention of treating physicians.
Report of a Case.— A 53-year-old bartender, who admits to a 25-year history of excessive alcohol use (which he claims he discontinued three months before hospitalization), was admitted to Franklin General Hospital,Valley Stream, NY, for massive upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
