Apo-Ranitidine

Brand Names: Apo-Ranitidine

Common Name: ranitidine

What is this drug used for?

Ranitidine belongs to the class of medications called H2-antagonists. Ranitidine is used to reduce the amount of acid secreted by the stomach in order to reduce ulcer and heartburn pain or to assist in healing of ulcers and damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ranitidine is also used to prevent ulcers in certain circumstances and to treat a condition associated with large amounts of stomach acid secretion known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

Ranitidine should not be taken by anyone with an allergy to:

• ranitidine or any other H2 antagonist (e.g., cimetidine, famotidine)
• any of the ingredients of the medication

What about possible side effects?

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your health professional. They may be able to help you to deal with some of the effects.

The following side effects may go away as your body becomes used to the medicine; check with your doctor if the following side effects continue or become bothersome.

Less common or rare

• constipation
• decreased sexual ability
• decrease in sexual desire
• diarrhea
• difficult urination
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dryness of mouth or skin
• headache
• increased or decreased urination
• increased sweating
• loss of hair
• ringing or buzzing in ears
• runny nose
• swelling of breasts or breast soreness (women and men)
• trouble sleeping

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare abdominal pain back, leg, or stomach pain bleeding or crusting sores on lips blistering, burning, redness, scaling, or tenderness of skin blisters on palms of hands and soles of feet changes in vision or blurred vision confusion coughing or difficulty swallowing dark-coloured urine dizziness fainting fast, pounding, or irregular hearbeat fever or chills flu-like symptoms general feeling of discomfort or illness hives inflammation of blood vessels joint pain light-coloured stools

mental depression, nervousness, or severe mental illness mood or mental changes, including anxiety, agitation, confusion, or hallucinations muscle cramps or aches nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite pain peeling or sloughing of skin red or irritated eyes shortness of breath skin rash or itching slow heartbeat sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips, mouth, tongue, or eyelids swelling of hands or feet swollen or painful glands tightness in chest troubled breathing unusual bleeding or bruising unusual tiredness or weakness unusually slow or irregular breathing wheezing yellow eyes or skin

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

What if I am taking other drugs?

Sucralfate may affect the way that ranitidine works.

Ranitidine may affect the way ketoconazole works.

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than the ones listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Other information:

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Kidney function: In cases of impaired kidney function, the ranitidine dose should be reduced as recommended by your doctor.

Pregnancy: The safety of ranitidine for use by pregnant women has not been established. This medication is recommended for use during pregnancy only if absolutely necessary.

Breast-feeding: Ranitidine passes into breast milk. Speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of breast-feeding while using this medication.

Children: Experience with ranitidine use by children is limited. However, it has been used successfully by children aged 8 to 18 years in oral (by mouth) doses up to 150 mg twice daily.

Special Instructions:

The recommended adult dose of ranitidine ranges from 150 mg daily to 300 mg twice daily depending on the condition being treated. Ranitidine may be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

© MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use: The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.