Heartburn/GERD and Ranitidine

Trade name: Zantac 75

Ranitidine works by blocking the action of histamine in the stomach. This decreases the amount of acid the stomach produces, which helps to relieve symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. Ranitidine is used for treating or preventing heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach caused by certain foods and drinks.

Read more details about Ranitidine.

To relieve symptoms: take Ranitidine by mouth with or without food.

To prevent symptoms: Ranitidine should be taken by mouth 30 to 60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that trigger your symptoms.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

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

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

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

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

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.

1. http://www.drugs.com/famotidine.html
2. http://www.drugs.com/ranitidine.html
3. http://www.pepcid.com/page.jhtml?id=pepcid/relief/relief_2.inc