What is the generic name for Tagamet?

The generic name for Tagamet is cimetidine. This medication is an H2 receptor antagonist that reduces the amount of stomach acid produced by glands in the lining of the stomach. It is often used to treat conditions such as peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Cimetidine works by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that stimulates acid secretion in the stomach, thus helping in the healing of ulcers and preventing the recurrence of conditions caused by excessive stomach acid. This is significant for patients requiring management of acid-related disorders.

In contrast, other options like ranitidine, famotidine, and omeprazole represent different medications. Ranitidine and famotidine are also H2 blockers but are not the same as cimetidine. Omeprazole, meanwhile, belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors, which work differently by blocking the proton pump in the stomach lining.