Zantac (Ranitidine) is used to decrease or suppress the production of stomach acid, which may reduce irritation to the stomach lining and help (conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid or acid rain). Ranitidine works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.Zantac(Ranitidine)is used for treating certain types of ulcers and other stomach conditions.(GERD) and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
Drug Name
Zantac (Ranitidine)
Manufacture By
Zantac (Ranitidine) is manufactured by Glaxo Smithkline, Dr. Reddy`s Laboratories.
Available in 150 mg and 300 mg tablet form.
Glaxo Smithkline, Dr. Reddy`s Laboratories manufacturing strengths have established it as a producer of world-class generics, branded generics and a major supplier of its range of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients World-Wide.
Our online medical store supplies only top-quality generic drugs that are exact equivalent of the brand name drugs.
Prescription Required: No
Drug Uses
Zantac is used for treating Duodenal ulcer, Benign gastric ulcer, Zollinger- Ellison syndrome (conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid or acid rain), Gastro esophageal reflux , Acid indigestion, Heart burn, Sour stomach, Stress ulcers, Oesophagitis, Preanaesthetic medication. Zantac (Ranitidine) may also be used for other conditions as determined by your Physician or doctor.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Zantac (Ranitidine) is a H2 (Histamine) receptor antagonist. Histamine is the most potent stimulus of acid secretion and acts as the common mediator. H2 receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor. It induces adenylate cyclase which converts ATP to cyclic AMP. This cyclic AMP acts on proton pump and exchange extracellular potassium ion for intracellular hydrogen ion across the parietal cell membrane. Ranitidine reversibly competes with Histamine for binding to H2 receptors on the parietal cells and predominantly inhibits basal acid secretion. Anesthetic adjuncts: It is used in patients undergoing prolonged operations, caesarian section, obese patients those are at increased risk of gastric regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia. It raises pH of gastric juice and also reduces its volume and thus chances of regurgitation. It is now routinely used before prolonged surgery.
Absorption: Ranitidine is 50 % absorbed after oral administration. Distribution: Distributed mainly to body tissues in unbound form. Metabolism: Ranitidine undergoes metabolism in the liver. Excretion: It is excreted mainly in urine and in the faeces.
How Taken
- Adult: 300mg / day Duodenal ulcer, benign gastric ulcer: 300 mg /day as single dose at bed time or in 2 divided dose (morning and bed time) for minimum of 4 weeks. Maintenance dose: 150 mg / day at bed time.
- Zollinger- Ellison syndrome: 300 - 450 mg / day in 2 - 3 divided doses; dose can be increased if necessary to a maximum up to 6g / day.
- Gastro esophageal reflux: 300 mg / day as single dose at bed time or in 2 divided doses (morning and bed time) for maximum 2 months. In severe conditions dose can be increased to 600 mg / day in 4 divided doses for 3 months
- Acid indigestion, Heart burn, Sour stomach: Dose: 75 mg once daily to a maximum up to 150 mg / day.
- Oesophagitis: 150 mg/ day.
- Dyspepsia: 75 - 300 mg / day depending on the severity of disease.
- PAM: 150 mg given nights and in the morning before surgical procedures.
Children: Duodenal ulcer, benign gastric ulcer: 4 - 8 mg / kg body weight / day in 2 divided doses. Maximum dose: 300 mg / day.
Missed Dose
Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss a dose of Zantac, 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.
Storage
Store Zantac at room temperature at a range of 15 to 25 degree C in a tightly closed container. Protect from light. Keep this medication out of reach of children.
Warnings/Precautions
Since ZANTAC is excreted primarily by the kidney, dosage should be adjusted in renal impaired patients.
Since ZANTAC is metabolized in the liver caution should be taken in patients with hepatic dysfunction
ZANTAC should be avoided in patients with a history of acute porphyria (a blood disease).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Zantac if you are pregnant. ZANTAC is secreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when ZANTAC is administered to a nursing mother. Do not breast-feed while taking Zantac.
Do not use Zantac if you are allergic to any ingredient in Zantac.
Important: Zantac should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 1 month old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
Possible Side Effects
Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist
Headache, Dizziness, Constipation, Vertigo, Confusion, Rash, Blurred vision, Thrombocytopenia, Leucopenia
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); confusion; 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.
More Information
- Do not take the maximum daily dosage continuously for more than 2 weeks.
- If you have trouble in swallowing or persistent abdominal pain, see your doctor promptly. These may be signs of a serious condition that may need different treatment.
- Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Also, it is important that you keep your appointments with your doctor for check-ups so that your doctor will be better able to tell you when to stop taking this medicine.