Ranitidine : Drug Information
What is Ranitidine?
Ranitidine is available under the brand name called Zantac; it is an H2 histamine receptor antagonist. Doctors prescribe Ranitidine to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, H. Pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and other conditions as determined by them. It works by blocking histamine and helps to decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It is also beneficial in treating hives. It is available in the form of oral tablets, capsules, and injections. One can avail of this medication with a proper prescription from a doctor and over the counter.
Important Information
- Smoking cigarettes can make Ranitidine less effective; try to avoid smoking while you are on this medication.
- Visit your doctor at a regular interval.
What to know before taking Ranitidine?
You should avoid taking this medication if you are allergic to it or any of its components. To ensure that Ranitidine is safe for you, you should tell your doctor if you have or ever had the following medical issues:
- Kidney problem
- Problem in liver
- Acute porphyria
- Gastric cancer
Expecting women and lactating mothers should consult their doctor before using Ranitidine.
How to take Ranitidine?
Take Ranitidine precisely as prescribed by the doctor. You must follow all the directions and instructions given on the prescription label and medication guide. Please don’t take it more often than recommended and try to be consistent throughout the treatment. Consult your doctor if you are not feeling any improvement in your condition. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your health condition.
Keep Ranitidine tablets, injections, or capsules out of the children’s reach and store it at room temperature away from heat and moisture. After completion of treatment, ask your pharmacist regarding the disposal of leftover medication.
Ranitidine dosage
The dosage of Ranitidine prescribed by the doctor is dependent on several factors, such as :
- The age and weight of the patient
- Symptoms
- The seriousness of the condition
- Other medical issues that the patient is having
- Other medications that the patient is using
- How the patient reacted to the first dose of the medication
The doctor may prescribe the dosage of Ranitidine according to the different medical conditions of the patient.
Oral dosages in the form of syrup, tablets, and effervescent tablets
Dosage for treating active duodenal ulcers
- For older adults, adults, and teenage
150 mg, two times in a day or 300 mg once a day at night before sleeping
- For children and infants
2 mg to 4 mg per kg of the child’s body weight twice a day; However, the maximum dose shod not exceed more than 300 mg for a day.
Dosage for maintaining healing of duodenal ulcers
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg once a day at night before sleeping
- For children and infants
2 mg to 4 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, twice a day; However, the maximum dose shod not exceed more than 150 mg for a day.
Dosage for treating erosive esophagitis
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg quadruple a day
- For children and infants
5 mg to 10 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, twice a day
Dosage for maintaining healing of erosive esophagitis
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg twice a day
- For children and infants
Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.
Dosage for treating gastric ulcers
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg twice a day
- For children and infants
2 mg to 4 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, twice a day; However, the maximum dose shod not exceed more than 150 mg for a day.
Dosage for maintaining healing of gastric ulcers
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg twice a day
- For children and infants
2 mg to 4 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, twice a day; However, the maximum dose shod not exceed more than 150 mg for a day.
Dosage for treating heartburn, acid indigestion, sore stomach
- For adults and teenagers
150 mg when you start feeling the symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach; If the problem persists, you can repeat the same dose. However, the maximum quantity of medicine should not exceed 300 mg in 24 hours.
- For children
Your doctor will determine the quantity of medicine for the child after a full medical check-up.
Dosage for preventing heartburn, acid indigestion, sore stomach
- For adults and teenagers
You can take 150 mg of medicine 30 minutes to 60 minutes before taking the meal. However, the maximum quantity of medication should not exceed 300 mg in 24 hours.
- For children
Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.
Dosage for treating the condition in which the stomach produces too much acid
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg twice a day; your doctor may adjust your dose if required
- For children
Your doctor will determine the quantity of medicine for the child after a full medical check-up.
Dosage for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
150 mg twice a day; your doctor may adjust your dose if required.
- For children and infants
5 mg to 10 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, twice a day
Dosage in the form of injection
Dosage for treating the condition in which the stomach produces too much acid, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers
- For older adults, adults, and teenagers
50 mg injected into the muscles or veins after every six to eight hours. However, the maximum quantity of medicine should not exceed 400 mg in a day.
Dosage for treating gastric or duodenal ulcers
- For children
2 mg to 4 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, injected into the muscles or veins after every six to eight hours. However, the maximum quantity of medicine should not exceed 50 mg in a day.
Overdose
If you ever feel uneasy after taking Ranitidine or have taken the medication in excess, Do consult your doctor and seek medical help as soon as possible. You can get medical assistance by calling the poison helpline number at 1-800-222-1222. It will help if you don’t ignore these symptoms, as they can be very dangerous.
- Loss of coordination
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
What to avoid while using Ranitidine?
Try to avoid alcoholic drinks; they can damage your body more severely. Do consult your doctor before taking any other over-the-counter medicines while you are on this medication.
Ranitidine side effects
Some of the common side effects of using Ranitidine are as follows:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in stomach
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Problem in urination
- Problem in sleeping
It is obvious to experience mild side effect symptoms, but if these symptoms bother you so much and are unbearable, you should consult your doctor and ask for medical help. You can stop taking medication and tell your doctor if you face the following problems while taking Ranitidine are as follows:
- Pain in stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Dark-colored urine
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough with mucus
- Chest pain
- Shortage of breath
- Irregular heart rate
- Bruising or bleeding
- Problem with hairs or skin
- Inflammation in liver
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Hallucination
- Allergic reaction to the medicine
You should also report to your doctor from time to time if you experience any new symptoms or your symptoms are getting even more worst.
What drugs can interact with Ranitidine?
If your doctor is treating you with Ranitidine, he must be knowing all the possible interactions with other medications. It is your responsibility to tell the doctor about all the over the counter medicines you take or taken in the past few days. Some of the following medications which can interact with Ranitidine are:
- Procainamide
- Warfarin
- Midazolam
- Triazolam
- Glipizide
- Herbal products
- Other over the counter medicines
- Vitamins and other nutritional supplements