Master H2 Receptor Blocker Side Effects with Picmonic for Medicine

The H2 blocking medications, cimetidine and ranitidine inhibit tubular transport of creatinine, preventing its clearance. This leads to increased serum creatinine levels.

Cimetidine is a specific H2 blocking medication, which is known to have side effects of crossing the blood-brain barrier, anti-androgenic effects and potent inhibition of cytochrome P450.

Cimetidine crosses the blood-brain barrier, and can lead to effects such as confusion, headache and dizziness. In addition to crossing the blood-brain barrier, cimetidine has the potential to cross the placenta and affect the fetus.

Cimetidine has anti-androgenic properties, acting as a competitive antagonist at DHT receptors. This leads to exaggerated effects of estrogen, manifesting as galactorrhea and amenorrhea in women, and impotence and gynecomastia in men.

Cimetidine is a potent inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Thus, multiple drug interactions may occur with its administration, as it decreases metabolism of particular medications.