Ranitidine

Ranitidine comes in a class of drugs which is called histamine receptor antagonists. Its function is to reduce the amount of acid, which the stomach produces. Ranitidine is helpful to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. The medication is used to avoid the condition in which the stomach produces too much acid and acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn like gastroesophageal reflux disease. Doctors also prescribe the medication for other purposes which are not listed above.

Before taking the medication, you should discuss with your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease or porphyria, because in the above conditions, you cannot take the medication or you require special monitoring during the treatment. Ranitidine comes in FDA pregnancy category B which means that there is no fear to harm an unborn baby, but those who are pregnant or want to be pregnant should discuss with your doctor before starting the medication. The medication also passes into milk of nursing mother so you need to discuss with your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.



Take the medication as prescribed to you by your doctor and if it is hard to understand the instructions, then discuss with your pharmacist. Take each dose with one full glass of water and take the correct amount of dose. Therefore you should purchase a dose-measuring spoon or cup. You can dissolve the tablets in about 6 to 8 ounces of water and then drink. Don’t try to chew or swallow the whole tablet or dissolve the tablets on the tongue. Place the medication at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose then take it as soon as you get remembered and if the time is near to take the next schedule dose then skip the missed dose and follow your regular schedule doses. Don’t take double doses at the same time. If you experience overdose then you need to get medical help. The symptoms of overdose include nausea, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, fast heartbeat, increased saliva production, and vomiting. While taking the medication, there is no restriction on food, beverages or activity unless your doctor directs you.

There are some severe side effects of this drug. If you experience them, then you should stop the medication and get medical help. The symptoms of severe side effects include swelling of lips, tongue, or face, difficulty in breathing, closing of throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, bleeding gums, irregular heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes. You can also experience less severe side effects, but you should continue your medication. The symptoms of less severe side effects include dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation. You can also experience other side effects other than those that are listed above, but you should discuss with your doctor.

There are certain drugs which can interact with ranitidine, like antacids which decrease the effect of ranitidine. Therefore you should take antacids one hour before or after taking of ranitidine. You should tell your doctor if you are taking triazolam, or warfarin, etc.