Ranitidine
Ranitidine (generic Zantac) is used to treat and prevent the
recurrence of ulcers and to treat other conditions where the
stomach makes too much acid. Ranitidine also is used to treat
or prevent occasional heartburn, acid indigestion, or sour stomach.
It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach. Ranitidine
is available with and without a prescription. |
RANITIDINE DRUG INFO
Why is this medication prescribed?
Ranitidine bismuth is used to treat intestinal
ulcers. It helps fight infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria,
which often occurs with ulcers. Treating this infection helps keep
ulcers from coming back. It is used in combination with other medicines.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for
other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used? Ranitidine
bismuth comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken
twice a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take ranitidine bismuth
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more
often than prescribed by your doctor.
Ranitidine bismuth must be used for at least
4 weeks to treat your ulcer completely. Continue to take ranitidine
bismuth even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ranitidine bismuth
without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking ranitidine bismuth,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ranitidine
(Zantac) or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially aspirin, antacids, and
vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, blood,
or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ranitidine
bismuth, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have ever taken this medicine or any
other medicine to treat ulcers. If your ulcer symptoms do not
get better in the first few days, tell your doctor. You may need
to take a different medicine.
RANITIDINE DRUG INFO
What should I do if I
forget a dose? Take the missed dose as soon
as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,
skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication
cause? Although side effects from ranitidine
bismuth are not common, they can occur. Darkening of the tongue
and stool is temporary and harmless. Tell your doctor if any of
these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dizziness
- change in sense of taste
- constipation
- stomach pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms,
call your doctor immediately:
- bloody, black, or tarry stools
- fever
- sore throat
- mental confusion
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
What storage conditions are needed
for this medicine? Keep this medication
in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of
children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat
and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that
is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the
proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose In
case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency
services at 911.
What other information should
I know? Keep all appointments with your
doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests
to check your response to ranitidine bismuth.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask
your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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