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Ranitidine Hydrochloride
Ranitidine Hydrochloride
Pronunciation
(ra NI ti deen hye droe KLOR ide)
Brand Names
Zantac®; Zantac® 75 [OTC]
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Acloral® (Mexico); Alter-H
Unknown tag: unknown
2
® (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
Antihistamine, H2 Blocker; Histamine H2 Antagonist
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 (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake.
- 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).
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