Two medicines, side by side
Cimetidine vs ranitidine
Cimetidine and ranitidine are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of cimetidine since 1977 and of ranitidine since 1983.
Check it at the source: the cimetidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2026); the ranitidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 1, 2026).
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 ranitidine record
Ranitidine (Zantac) · label of May 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsRanitidine Tablets, USP are indicated in: Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks. Studies available to date have not assessed the safety of ranitidine in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer for periods of more than 8 weeks. Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of acute ulcers. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 9, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 47
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Cimetidine label of July 15, 2026, Ranitidine label of May 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do cimetidine and ranitidine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class histamine-2 receptor antagonists.
Half-life, in each label's words: Cimetidine, “The half-life of cimetidine tablets is approximately 2 hours.”; Ranitidine, “The elimination half-life is 2.5 to 3 hours.”
Generics: cimetidine since 1994; ranitidine since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Cimetidine | Ranitidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of cimetidine tablets is approximately 2 hours. | The elimination half-life is 2.5 to 3 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 16, 1977 | June 9, 1983 |
| First generic approved | May 17, 1994 | July 31, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 18 labelers | 8 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.236 per tablet (Cimetidine 300 mg tablet) | n/a |
| 12-month price change | -13% | n/a |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 47 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,664 | 230,803 |
| 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