RANITIDINe
Patient Counselling
Ranitidine is a medication that can be bought over-the-counter and used to provide relief for symptoms of gastroesophageal disease, including heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset or sour stomach. It works by reducing the production of the excess stomach acid that is causing the sensation of heartburn. Ranitidine should start working within 1 hour of taking it and the effect can last for up to 12 hours after it is taken.
The over-the-counter version of the medication should only be used if you are over the age of 16 and do not have an allergy to ranitidine or any of the components of its formulation.
Dose:
o >16 years: 1-2 tablets (75-150 mg) should be taken when symptoms appear. If the symptoms persist for more than 1 hour or return after 1 hour, a second tablet can be taken. The maximum you should take is 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
o For prevention of symptoms brought on by consuming food or beverages, take 75 mg 30-60 minutes before eating the meal or consuming the beverage.
Side effects:
some common side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and headache. In case of more severe side effects, consult a physician.
Ranitidine can be taken along with antacids, but they should be taken 1 hour apart.
Ranitidine may interact with a number of medications, so it is important to let your physician and pharmacist know that you are taking ranitidine as an OTC medication so that they can make sure that
the other medications you are taking do not interact with it.
See a physician if:
o Symptoms get worst, are more frequent, or persist for more than 2 weeks despite treatment with ranitidine.
o You experience light-headedness, dizziness, sweating, wheezing, shortness of breath, shoulder/ arm/ neck pain, chronic
tiredness, difficult or painful swallowing, persistent vomiting, coughing up blood, blood in the stool or black, tarry stools, or severe abdominal pain.
Storage: keep ranitidine in a safe place and out of reach of children. Store between 15-30°C and avoid excessive humidity.
References:
1. Thompson P. Patient Self-Care. 1st ed. Chapter 23: Dyspepsia and GERD.
Canadian Pharmacists Association 2002.
2. e-CPS. Zantac product monograph. Canadian Pharmacists
Association 2012. Accessed on March 08 2012 from: www.e-therapeutics.ca
3. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Ranitidine Hydrocholride.
Greenwood Village, CO: Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc. 2010. Accessed on
March 08 2012 from: www.thomsonhc.com/micromedex2
The over-the-counter version of the medication should only be used if you are over the age of 16 and do not have an allergy to ranitidine or any of the components of its formulation.
Dose:
o >16 years: 1-2 tablets (75-150 mg) should be taken when symptoms appear. If the symptoms persist for more than 1 hour or return after 1 hour, a second tablet can be taken. The maximum you should take is 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
o For prevention of symptoms brought on by consuming food or beverages, take 75 mg 30-60 minutes before eating the meal or consuming the beverage.
Side effects:
some common side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and headache. In case of more severe side effects, consult a physician.
Ranitidine can be taken along with antacids, but they should be taken 1 hour apart.
Ranitidine may interact with a number of medications, so it is important to let your physician and pharmacist know that you are taking ranitidine as an OTC medication so that they can make sure that
the other medications you are taking do not interact with it.
See a physician if:
o Symptoms get worst, are more frequent, or persist for more than 2 weeks despite treatment with ranitidine.
o You experience light-headedness, dizziness, sweating, wheezing, shortness of breath, shoulder/ arm/ neck pain, chronic
tiredness, difficult or painful swallowing, persistent vomiting, coughing up blood, blood in the stool or black, tarry stools, or severe abdominal pain.
Storage: keep ranitidine in a safe place and out of reach of children. Store between 15-30°C and avoid excessive humidity.
References:
1. Thompson P. Patient Self-Care. 1st ed. Chapter 23: Dyspepsia and GERD.
Canadian Pharmacists Association 2002.
2. e-CPS. Zantac product monograph. Canadian Pharmacists
Association 2012. Accessed on March 08 2012 from: www.e-therapeutics.ca
3. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Ranitidine Hydrocholride.
Greenwood Village, CO: Thomson Reuters (Healthcare) Inc. 2010. Accessed on
March 08 2012 from: www.thomsonhc.com/micromedex2