RANITIDINE (Zantac) is used for treating certain conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It is also used to treat ulcers of the small intestine that have not responded to other treatment. It may be used as a short-term alternative to oral ranitidine, in patients who are not able to take medicine by mouth. Ranitidine is an H2-receptor blocker. It works by blocking the action of histamine in the stomach. This reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes. Reducing stomach acid helps to reduce heartburn, to heal irritation of the esophagus, and to heal ulcers of the stomach or intestines.
Ranitidine is a type of antihistamine that blocks the release of stomach acid. Ranitidine is used for treating certain conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It is also used to treat ulcers of the small intestine that have not responded to other treatment. It may be used as a short-term alternative to oral ranitidine, in patients who are not able to take medicine by mouth.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you:
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
you are allergic to Ranitidine, any other medicine, foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances
you frequently drink alcohol-containing beverages
you have liver or kidney disease
you have other chronic illness
you have porphyria
you have phenylketonuria (for effervescent product only)
How to use:
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions
Advert to Medication Guide if necessary
Take your doses at regular intervals
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible
Avoid taking double or extra doses
Safety issues:
If your condition does not improve or within several days, contact your doctor at once
Do not stop taking Ranitidine until your doctor said so
Do not self-medicate with aspirin, ibuprofen or other antiinflammatory medicines; these can aggravate your condition
Avoid smoking and drinking
What drug(s) may interact with Ranitidine?
warfarin
alcohol containing beverages
triazolam
alendronate
theophylline
antacids
propantheline
cefditoren
nifedipine
cefpodoxime
metformin
cefuroxime
ketoconazole
delavirdine
itraconazole
iron supplements
enoxacin
glipizide
glyburide
Possible side effects:
If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately:
yellowing of the skin or eyes
agitation
nervousness
depression
hallucinations
vomiting
breast swelling and tenderness
sexual difficulties (impotence) in men
unusual weakness or tiredness
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
skin rash, itching
These side effects usually don't require medical attention (but you should contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
nausea
dizziness
headache
constipation or diarrhea
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
