Two medicines, side by side
Cimetidine vs esomeprazole
Cimetidine and esomeprazole are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cimetidine since 1977 and of esomeprazole since 2001. Pharmacies paid $0.236 per cimetidine 300 mg tablet and $0.145 per esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, cimetidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and esomeprazole a proton pump inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the cimetidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2026); the esomeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 19, 2024).
Highlights of the cimetidine record
Cimetidine (Tagamet) · label of July 15, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsCimetidine tablets are indicated in: 1. Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks and there is rarely reason to use cimetidine tablets at full dosage for longer than 6 to 8 weeks (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Duodenal Ulcer ). Concomitant antacids should be given as needed for relief of pain. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 16, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 18 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.236 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the esomeprazole record
Esomeprazole (Nexium) · label of March 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstreats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 20, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 116 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.145 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cimetidine label of July 15, 2026, Esomeprazole label of March 19, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cimetidine and esomeprazole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cimetidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and esomeprazole a proton pump inhibitor.
Generics: cimetidine since 1994; esomeprazole since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cimetidine | Esomeprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Proton Pump Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of cimetidine tablets is approximately 2 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 16, 1977 | February 20, 2001 |
| First generic approved | May 17, 1994 | March 18, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 18 labelers | 116 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.236 per tablet (Cimetidine 300 mg tablet) | $0.145 per capsule (Esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,664 | 235,202 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to cimetidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions