Appropriateness of long-term cimetidine prescribing

The appropriateness of long-term cimetidine prescribing was evaluated retrospectively in an outpatient pharmacy setting. Criteria defining the acceptable use of cimetidine for greater than 8 wk were established. The prescribing of long-term cimetidine was found inappropriate in 34 of 51 patients (67 percent). In 16 patients, the duration of full-dose therapy was excessive. Eighteen patients lacked an acceptable indication for cimetidine. The patients falling into the unacceptable category were prescribed cimetidine either by general internists or gastroenterologists in 33 of 34 cases. There were no clear reasons for this prescribing pattern. Eliminating inappropriate long-term use of cimetidine could avoid potential drug interactions and be cost-effective.