Pronunciation: ra-NI-ti-deen
Generic Name: Ranitidine
Brand Name: Zantac
Ranitidine is used for:
Treating heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may be used to treat and maintain healing of severe irritation of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis). It may be used for short-term treatment of stomach or small intestinal ulcers. It may be used to maintain healing of stomach or small intestinal ulcers. It may be used to treat conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
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, heal irritation of the esophagus, and heal ulcers of the stomach or intestines.
Do NOT use Ranitidine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Ranitidine
- you have a history of the blood disease porphyria
- you are taking dasatinib
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ranitidine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Ranitidine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of kidney or liver problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ranitidine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Certain benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam, triazolam), glipizide, procainamide, or warfarin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Ranitidine
- Dasatinib, delavirdine, gefitinib, certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir), itraconazole, or ketoconazole because their effectiveness may be decreased by Ranitidine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ranitidine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ranitidine:
Use Ranitidine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Ranitidine by mouth with or without food.
- If you also take itraconazole or ketoconazole, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Ranitidine.
- You may take antacids while you are using Ranitidine if you are directed to do so by your doctor.
- Continue to take Ranitidine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Ranitidine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ranitidine.
Important safety information:
- Ranitidine may rarely cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Ranitidine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Ranitidine may interfere with certain lab tests, including urine protein tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Ranitidine.
- Ranitidine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 month old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ranitidine while you are pregnant. Ranitidine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Ranitidine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Ranitidine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; headache; nausea; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; dark urine; depression; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; severe or persistent headache or stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; trouble walking.
Proper storage of Ranitidine:
Store Ranitidine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Ranitidine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Ranitidine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Ranitidine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ranitidine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Ranitidine resources
- Ranitidine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Ranitidine Drug Interactions
- Ranitidine Support Group
- 32 Reviews for Ranitidine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Ranitidine with other medications
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
- Erosive Esophagitis
- Gastric Ulcer Maintenance Treatment
- Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
- GERD
- Indigestion
- Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
- Stomach Ulcer
- Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
- Surgical Prophylaxis
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
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