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Cimetidine reduces weight and improves metabolic control in overweight patients with Type 2 diabetes

International Journal of Obesity volume 22, pages 1041–1045 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the weight-reducing effect of cimetidine in overweight patients with Type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN: A 12-week clinical intervention study of 400 mg cimetidine prescribed three times daily in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.

SUBJECTS: Forty-three overweight patients with Type 2 diabetes (age 18–65 y, body mass index (BMI) 27.2–48.2 kg/m2).

MEASUREMENTS: Body weight, BMI, body fat, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, plasma concentrations of insulin, insulin/glucose ratio and lipids at the start and after 12 weeks, and daily recordings of appetite.

RESULTS: Subjects given cimetidine (n=19) and placebo (n=24) lost 5.0±2.2 kg (mean±s.d.) and 1.3±1.1 kg, respectively. Significant reductions were observed in appetite, body fat (29.9±6.6% to 25.3±7.4%), waist circumference (111.5±10.3 cm to 107.4±10.6 cm), waist/hip ratio (0.96±0.08 to 0.94±0.08), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (reductions of 6.9±11.4 mm Hg and 6.0±6.6 mm Hg, respectively) in cimetidine group only. Significant decreases in fasting concentrations of blood glucose, HbA1c, plasma insulin, insulin/glucose ratio, plasma triglycerides and a significant increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in the cimetidine group only.

CONCLUSIONS: Cimetidine reduces appetite and body weight, and improves metabolic control in overweight subjects with Type 2 diabetes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    G Støa-Birketvedt & J Florholmen

  2. Biochemical Department, University Hospital of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway

    OC Ingebretsen

  3. Medical Department, Central Hospital of Akershus, Nordbyhagen, Norway

    PN Paus & R Ganss

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  1. G Støa-Birketvedt
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  2. PN Paus
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  3. R Ganss
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  4. OC Ingebretsen
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  5. J Florholmen
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Støa-Birketvedt, G., Paus, P., Ganss, R. et al. Cimetidine reduces weight and improves metabolic control in overweight patients with Type 2 diabetes. Int J Obes 22, 1041–1045 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800721

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800721

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