How do you take zantac

Kidney function: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pneumonia: People with lung disease, a weak immune system, or diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing pneumonia while taking ranitidine. If you have any of these conditions, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Porphyria: Ranitidine may cause attacks of a condition called acute porphyria a disorder that affects the production of heme in the body. People with a history of acute porphyria should not take ranitidine. Stomach cancer: Using medications such as ranitidine may prevent symptoms of stomach cancer from being noticed. If you have recurrent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in the stool, significant unintentional weight loss, fatigue anemia , or are coughing up blood, check with your doctor right away.

If you have heartburn that worsens or returns after using this medication continuously for 2 weeks, check with your doctor. Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk.

If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking ranitidine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 8 years of age. Children between the ages of 8 years and 16 years of age, should only use this medication under the supervision of a doctor. Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience interactions with other medications when taking ranitidine.

If you are a senior, your doctor should closely monitor your condition. 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:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.

Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications 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.

All material copyright 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. It may take up to 8 weeks before your ulcer heals.

Keep using your medications as directed and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks. Your doctor may recommend an antacid to help relieve pain. Carefully follow your doctor's directions about the type of antacid to use, and when to use it. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose.

Do not take two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include lack of coordination, feeling light-headed, or fainting. Health Topics. Health Tools. Zantac Ranitidine. Generic Name: Ranitidine. Reviewed: June 23, Side Effects. Side Effects What are the side effects of Zantac Ranitidine?

Stop using ranitidine and call your doctor at once if you have: stomach pain, loss of appetite; dark urine, jaundice yellowing of the skin or eyes ; fever, chills, cough with mucus, chest pain, feeling short of breath; fast or slow heart rate; easy bruising or bleeding; or problems with your skin or hair.

Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or diarrhea, constipation. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Taking it again could cause death. For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may increase the levels of ranitidine in your body and cause more side effects.

For people with liver problems: If you have liver problems or a history of liver disease, you may not be able to process this drug well.

This drug can trigger an acute porphyric attack. For people with gastric cancer: This drug reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. This can help improve the symptoms of your gastrointestinal condition. However, if your symptoms are caused by a cancerous gastric tumor, you may still have the tumor.

This drug does not treat cancer. For pregnant women: Research in animals has not shown that this drug poses a risk to a pregnancy. However, animal studies do not always predict the way humans would respond. That said, this drug should only be used in pregnancy if clearly needed. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who breastfeeding: You should tell your doctor before taking this drug. Ranitidine may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. You may need to ask your doctor to help you weigh the benefits of breastfeeding versus taking this drug. For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. In rare cases, this drug may cause confusion, agitation, depression, and hallucinations.

These problems happen most often in seniors who are very ill. For children: Ranitidine has not been confirmed as safe and effective in children younger than 1 month for any condition. Ranitidine has not been confirmed as safe and effective in people younger than 18 years for conditions where the stomach makes too much acid. These conditions include Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Find ways to relieve or prevent heartburn after eating.

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Read on to learn about easy stomach ulcer home remedies…. GERD gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic form of heartburn. Learn about symptoms and treatment. Numerous over-the-counter medications can help treat GERD, or heartburn. Learn more about your options for treating GERD and when you should see a…. H2 receptor blockers can be used to treat conditions that cause excess stomach acid. Learn about the side effects of these medications.

Zantac is an over-the-counter OTC drug that can ease heartburn. Excess stomach acid and the damage it can cause can happen in babies. Learn if Zantac may be an option for your baby.