Two medicines, side by side
Cimetidine vs metformin/pioglitazone
Cimetidine is labeled for acid reflux and ulcers; metformin/pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cimetidine since 1977 and of metformin/pioglitazone since 2005. Pharmacies paid $0.236 per cimetidine 300 mg tablet and $0.283 per unit (Pioglitazone-metformin 15-500) (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 metformin/pioglitazone a peroxisome proliferator receptor gamma agonist.
Check it at the source: the cimetidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2026); the metformin/pioglitazone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 3, 2025).
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 metformin and pioglitazone record
Metformin and pioglitazone (Actoplus Met) · label of December 3, 2025
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND LACTIC ACIDOSIS FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION WARNING: CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE and LACTIC ACIDOSIS Congestive Heart Failure
Thiazolidinediones, including pioglitazone, which is a component of pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride, cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure in some patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus Limitations of Use Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets is not recommended to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 29, 2005
- Generic labelers
- 5 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.283 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cimetidine label of July 15, 2026, Metformin/pioglitazone label of December 3, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cimetidine and metformin/pioglitazone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, cimetidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist and metformin/pioglitazone a peroxisome proliferator receptor gamma agonist.
Half-life, in each label's words: Cimetidine, “The half-life of cimetidine tablets is approximately 2 hours.”; Metformin/pioglitazone, “The mean serum half-life (t 1/2 ) of pioglitazone and its metabolites (M-III and M-IV) range from three to seven hours …”
Only the metformin/pioglitazone label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: cimetidine since 1994; metformin/pioglitazone since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cimetidine | Metformin/pioglitazone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Type 2 diabetes |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Biguanide, Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor alpha Agonist, Peroxisome Proliferator Receptor gamma Agonist, Thiazolidinedione |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Pioglitazone and metformin hydrochloride tablets combines two antihyperglycemic agents: pioglitazone and metformin. Pioglitazone Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that depends on the presence of insulin for its mechanism of action. |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of cimetidine tablets is approximately 2 hours. | The mean serum half-life (t 1/2 ) of pioglitazone and its metabolites (M-III and M-IV) range from three to seven hours and 16 to 24 hours, respectively. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 16, 1977 | August 29, 2005 |
| First generic approved | May 17, 1994 | February 25, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 18 labelers | 5 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.236 per tablet (Cimetidine 300 mg tablet) | $0.283 per unit (Pioglitazone-metformin 15-500) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -45% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,664 | 1,321 |
| 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