Ranitidine

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Histamine H2 Antagonist	Zantac

Ranitidine - What is it for

Ranitidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat various conditions of the gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) tract including:
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (a condition where the acid from the stomach goes back up the food tube and throat, causing pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn)
Ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract (treatment and prevention)

Ranitidine - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Ranitidine cause?

Side effects of ranitidine include stomach pain, constipation, nausea and headaches and rarely blurred vision.

Please consult your healthcare professional if the symptoms do not go away or when any unexplained or unusual symptoms occur.

Consult your healthcare professional if you develop any blood in your stool (including blackened stool) or vomiting, severe stomach pain, confusion, unexplained fever or feeling faint, especially when standing up.

Very rarely, it might affect your liver function. If you experience symptoms like dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin, please contact your healthcare professional immediately.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Ranitidine, what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Ranitidine?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

Ranitidine - Dosage and How to Use

How should Ranitidine be used?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
You may take this medication with or without food.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the dose if it is too near to your next dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.