Tagamet 100
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
SmithKline Beecham receives license in the U.K. to market its 100 mg nonprescription formulation of the H[2] antagonist cimetidine for the relief of heartburn and dyspepsia, the company announced March 9. The OTC product is expected to be available "in the near future," SmithKline Beecham said. Cimetidine was one of 11 Rx-to-OTC switches approved by the U.K. Medicines Control Agency in a Jan. 21 order ("The Tan Sheet" Feb. 21, p. 6). J&J- Merck's H[2] antagonist famotidine, launched as Pepcid AC by the joint venture's new U.K. subsidiary, Centra Health Care, was also switched on Jan. 21; however, only cimetidine is indicated for the prevention of nocturnal heartburn as well as daytime treatment. Labeling directs consumers to take either two 100 mg tablets at the onset of symptoms, or one 100 mg tablet prophylactically at bedtime