Cimetidine (Tagamet) blocks a different class (H2) of histamine receptors
than traditional antihistamines, which block H1 receptors. The best known
function of H2 receptors is to influence the amount of acid produced by
the stomach. Whether H2 receptors are important elsewhere in the body
is by no means definitively established, but there are a few anecdotal
reports that they may be involved in certain dermatological conditions
such as chronic hives.
It's also not clear yet whether some of the reported effects of cimetidine
in unorthodox applications such as you report are shared by other H2
blockers or represent something unique to this particular drug.
High doses of cimetidine seem to have some activity against warts,
though there have been just a few reports of this, and no systematic
studies. It's claimed that it may have an "immunomodulating" effect,
and I know for a while that it was even tried in people with HIV
infection to strengthen their immune systems. (I haven't followed
that line of research, but I suspect that if it has any beneficial effect,
it's much too subtle for the overwhelming damage that HIV wreaks
on the immune system.)
Additionally, cimetidine (but not other H2 blockers) is a weak androgen
antagonist. That is, in high doses, it prevents testosterone and related
male sex hormones from binding to the androgen receptor in the nuclei of
cells. This rarely becomes clinically important in men unless extraordinarily
high doses are taken--about 2000mg/day, though there are occasional reports
of loss of libido or impotence at lower doses. However, cimetidine has been
used experimentally as an androgen antagonist in women who produce too many
androgens (PCO syndrome, hirsuitism and perhaps acne.)
There have been a few studies of oral and topical cimetidine to treat
Cystic Acne, though, again, I don't know how useful this will ultimately
prove to be. The most likely explanation for this is its anti-androgen
activity, since sebum [oil] production is strongly influenced by the
levels of circulating androgens. But, perhaps it may also have to do
with cimetidine's effects on the immune system and the contribution that
inflammation makes in cases of severe acne. (For example, it may be
that tetracycline's beneficial effects in acne have as much todo with
its antiinflammatory actions as they do from its antibacterial actions.)
Wash the skin
Avoid oily substances
Shampoo the hair daily
Don`t "pop" pimples
Exercise regularly
Don't stop the acne medicine
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