Ranitidine Hydrochloride

(ra NI ti deen hye droe KLOR ide)

U.S. Brand Names

Zantac 150™ [OTC]; Zantac 75® [OTC]; Zantac®; Zantac® EFFERdose®

Canadian Brand Names

Acid Reducer; Acid Reducer Maximum Strength Non Prescription; Alti-Ranitidine; Apo-Ranitidine®; BCI-Ranitidine; CO Ranitidine; Dom-Ranitidine; Gen-Ranidine; Novo-Ranidine; Nu-Ranit; PMS-Ranitidine; Ranitidine Injection, USP; Ratio-Ranitidine; Rhoxal-Ranitidine; Riva-Ranitidine; Sandoz-Ranitidine; ScheinPharm Ranitidine; Zantac 75®; Zantac Maximum Strength Non-Prescription; Zantac®

Mexican Brand Names

Acloral; Azantac; Galidrin; Iqfadina; Ranisen

Pharmacologic Category

Histamine H2 Antagonist

Reasons not to take this medicine

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

• 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have porphyria.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat gastrointestinal ulcers caused by infection.

• This medicine is used to treat heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

• This medicine is used to treat syndromes caused by huge amounts of stomach acid.

How does it work?

• Ranitidine prevents symptoms and damage to the gastrointestinal tract caused by stomach acid or infection.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Take this medicine at bedtime if you are taking once a day.

• Drop effervescent tablet in 1 teaspoonful of water. Drink when dissolved.

• 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.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• The over-the-counter tablet can be taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than every 12 hours, unless instructed by healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Diarrhea.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 15:30:16.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:14.0

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