Cimetidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric or duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. It works by competitively inhibiting histamine effects at H2 receptors on gastric parietal cells, reducing basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. Cimetidine is well absorbed orally with a bioavailability of 70% and has a volume of distribution of 1 L/kg. It has a half-life of 2 hours and is primarily eliminated renally through metabolism by CYP450 enzymes in the liver. Cimetidine can interact with many other drugs by inhibiting their metabolism.