RANITIDINE HCL

Drug Name: RANITIDINE HCL

RANITIDINE HCL DESCRIPTION:
RANITIDINE CAPSULES- ORAL (ran-IT-uh-deen)

COMMON RANITIDINE HCL BRAND NAME(S):
Zantac

RANITIDINE HCL SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness may occur at first as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: unusual bleeding or bruising, pounding chest pain, rash, difficulty sleeping, mental changes, extreme weakness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE RANITIDINE HCL:
RANITIDINE HCL: RANITIDINE HCL is best taken with or immediately after meals. Antacids and sucralfate can block the effect of RANITIDINE HCL. If you are taking an antacid in addition to RANITIDINE HCL, separate the doses of each medication by at least one half hour. If you are taking sucralfate in addition to RANITIDINE HCL, take the ranitidine 2 hours before the sucralfate. Do not stop taking RANITIDINE HCL without your doctor's approval. Stopping therapy too soon may delay healing of the ulcer.

RANITIDINE HCL USES:
RANITIDINE HCL reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. It is used to treat and prevent ulcers, to treat gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and to treat conditions associated with excessive acid secretion.

RANITIDINE HCL PRECAUTIONS:
If you have kidney or liver disease, tell your doctor before taking RANITIDINE HCL. If you have ulcers, do not smoke cigarettes. Smoking apparently inhibits ulcer healing. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors before taking RANITIDINE HCL.

RANITIDINE HCL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all over-the-counter and prescription medication you may use, especially of: ketoconazole, itraconazole, triazolam. RANITIDINE HCL is available in both prescription and over-the-counter formulations. Do not take both at the same time. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

RANITIDINE HCL OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, tremors, vomiting, restlessness, weakness, fatigue, or dizziness.

RANITIDINE HCL NOTES:
Your doctor may recommend some lifestyle changes such as stress-reducing programs, diet changes and exercise to assist in the treatment and prevention of ulcers. Ranitidine may affect the results of tests for urine protein. Be sure to tell your doctor you are taking ranitidine.

MISSED RANITIDINE HCL DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

RANITIDINE HCL STORAGE:
Store between 36 and 77 degrees F (between 2 and 25 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.