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What is the most important information I should know about ranitidine? |
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Do not stop taking ranitidine without first talking to your doctor. It may take up to 8 weeks for an ulcer to heal. |
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Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking ranitidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of ranitidine. |
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Ranitidine is in a class of drugs called histamine receptor antagonists. Ranitidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. |
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Ranitidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. Ranitidine is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid and conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). |
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Ranitidine may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide. |
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Who should not take ranitidine? |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have |
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You may not be able to take ranitidine, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. |
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The Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose Tablets and Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose Granules contain 16.84 mg of phenylalanine per 150 mg of ranitidine. Individuals with phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive. |
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Ranitidine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take ranitidine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. |
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Ranitidine passes into breast milk. Do not take ranitidine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take ranitidine? |
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Take ranitidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of ranitidine with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. |
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Zantac syrup may be administered by medicine dropper or oral syringe for infants. |
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Dissolve the Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose Tablets and Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose Granules in approximately 6 to 8 ounces of water before drinking. EFFERdose Tablets should not be chewed, swallowed whole, or dissolved on the tongue. |
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Do not stop taking ranitidine without first talking to your doctor. It may take up to 8 weeks for an ulcer to heal. |
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Store ranitidine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a ranitidine overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased saliva production, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat. |
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What should I avoid while taking ranitidine? |
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There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking ranitidine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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What are the possible side effects of ranitidine? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking ranitidine and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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easy or unusual bruising or bleeding; |
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irregular heartbeat; or |
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yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take ranitidine and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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diarrhea, nausea, or constipation. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect ranitidine? |
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Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking ranitidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of ranitidine. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: |
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triazolam (Halcion); or |
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the anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin (Coumadin). |
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You may not be able to take ranitidine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking either of the medicines listed above. |
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Ranitidine may affect the actions of other medications by changing the acidity of the stomach. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines during treatment with ranitidine. |
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Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information about ranitidine written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 11/11/04.
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