title: Inappropriate use of cimetidine in hospitalized patients.
abstract: We reviewed the records of 100 medical and surgical patients who received cimetidine while hospitalized. Cimetidine use was categorized by FDA criteria as justified (23%), acceptable (40%), or unjustified (37%); prescribing patterns were similar in medical and surgical patients. Furthermore, intravenous cimetidine was often given when patients were receiving oral feedings, which resulted in unnecessary increases in hospital costs.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006146:Guanidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010414:Pennsylvania
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D002927:Cimetidine