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Zantac

Brand Names

; Zantac® ; Zantac® 75 [OTC]

Foreign Brand Names

; Acloral® (Mexico) ; Alter-H₂® (Mexico) ; Anistal (Mexico) ; Apo-Ranitidine® (Canada) ; Azantac (Mexico) ; Cauteridol® (Mexico) ; Credaxol (Mexico) ; Galidrin (Mexico) ; Gastrec (Mexico) ; Microtid (Mexico) ; Neugal (Mexico) ; Novo-Ranidine (Canada) ; Nu-Ranit (Canada) ; Ranifur (Mexico) ; Ranisen (Mexico)

Therapeutic Categories

Histamine H2 Antagonist

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to ranitidine or any other part of the medicine.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (active treatment and prevention), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

How does it work?

• Ranitidine hydrochloride inhibits stomach acid secretion allowing healing to occur in the area of ulceration or damage by the acid.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach. Take at bedtime if you are taking this medicine once a day.
• A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Drop effervescent tablet or granules in 3/4 of a cup of water. Drink when dissolved.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E if you have an ulcer. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Diarrhea.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Keep away from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).