And Shingles Page 1 of 2 Herpes simplex and herpes zoster are viral diseases that can be kept in remission by a healthy immune system. Cimetidine favorably modulates immune function via several mechanisms, but its best documented property is its inhibitory effect on T-suppressor cell function. The immune system is weakened when T-suppressor cells prematurely shut down immune function. Since cimetidine inhibits T-suppressor cell function, it can significantly enhance immune surveillance in some people .
Various studies indicate cimetidine's effectiveness in suppressing herpes infections.
The first case observation occurred in August 1977 when a patient developed shingles just before commencing a course of cimetidine for a chronic stomach ulcer. The patient experienced dramatic relief of the shingles pain and rapid disappearance of the eruption. The results were encouraging in 18 out of these 21 patients. The trial was then extended to other herpes virus infections. The results of these preliminary trials showed the potential role of cimetidine in the treatment of herpes virus infection.