Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Maximum Strength Acid Reducer Without Prescription (Pharmascience)
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION is a commonly used acid reliever prescribed by doctors worldwide. MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION is a product which contains the maximum non-prescription strength (150 mg) of ranitidine. Each Flavoured tablet has a Cooling Sensation flavour of Cool Mint.
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION provides fast and effective relief, treatment and prevention, day or night, from the burning, pain and discomfort of the following symptoms caused by too much acid in the stomach:
- Heartburn
- Acid Indigestion
- Upset or Sour stomach
- Hyperacidity
What it does:
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION works by reducing and controlling the amount of acid in your stomach for up to 12 hours, day or night. This is what makes MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION different from antacids which only neutralise the acid in your stomach. Antacids do not reduce the production of excess stomach acid.
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION starts to relieve symptoms of burning, pain and discomfort of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset or sour stomach and hyperacidity at 30 minutes.
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION can also effectively prevent symptoms, pain and discomfort of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset or sour stomach and hyperacidity, when taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating food and/or drinking beverages that cause heartburn.
When it should not be used:
Do not use MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION if you are allergic to any component of this product or have had an allergic reaction to another product that contains an acid reducer.
When you should contact your doctor:
Contact your doctor if the following occur while taking or after taking MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION as the following may be symptoms of a serious reaction/medical condition:
- if you experience heartburn with light-headedness, sweating, dizziness, or frequent wheezing
- if you have chest or shoulder pain with shortness of breath, sweating, pain spreading to neck, arms, or shoulders
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Each tablet contains 150 mg of ranitidine, as ranitidine hydrochloride.
What the non-medicinal ingredients are:
Unflavoured Tablets: Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Croscarmellose Sodium, Iron Oxide Red, Iron Oxide Yellow, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Soy Lecithin, Talc, Titanium Dioxide and Xanthan Gum.
Cool Mint Flavoured Tablets: Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Croscarmellose Sodium, FD&C Blue No. 1, Hypromellose, Iron Oxide Yellow, Magnesium Stearate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mint Natural Flavour, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose Micronized, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Triacetin and Xanthan Gum.
What dosage forms it comes in:
Tablets: 150 mg
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Avoid taking MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION while breastfeeding.
BEFORE you use MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have a stomach or duodenal ulcer
- are taking a prescription medicine for stomach ulcer or any other prescription drugs
- have heart problems
- have liver problems
- have diabetes
- have lung disease
- have a weakened immune system
- have kidney disease
- have chest pain
- have difficulty or pain on swallowing, experience choking or continuous stomach pain or discomfort
- are nauseous, have severe vomiting, or have bloody or black stools
- have heartburn that is frequent (> 3 times per week) and/or unusually severe
- have had heartburn for over 3 months
- suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), (because these medicines may be causing your symptoms) or other medications
- experience unintended weight loss
- are over 40 years of age and are experiencing new or recently changed symptoms of heartburn or acid indigestion
- have any other illness, or are taking any prescription medicines, for which you are seeing a doctor regularly
- are under 16 years of age.
During the treatment if dizziness, drowsiness or vertigo occur
then avoid driving motor vehicle or operating machinery or task
requiring alertness.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
BEFORE you use MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if: you are taking antacids,
aluminium, amoxicillin, atazanavir, clavulanic acid, cyanocobalamine, diltiazem, enoxacin, erlotinib, fosphenytoin,
gefitinib, glyburide, itraconazole, ketoconazole,
magnesium hydroxide, metformin, midazolam,
pancreatin, pancuronium, pentoxifylline, posaconazole,
procainamide, sucralfate, triazolam, tubocurarine and
warfarin.
Do not take antacids within 30 minutes to 1 hour of taking MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
Adults and children 16 years and older:
Swallow 1 tablet whole with a glass of water when symptoms appear, day or night. If symptoms persist for more than 1 hour or return after 1 hour, a second tablet may be taken.
For prevention of symptoms brought on by consuming food or beverages: 1 tablet should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating a meal or consuming beverages expected to cause symptoms.
Do not take more than 2 tablets (300 mg ranitidine) during a 24-hour period. Stop use and consult your doctor if symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop or persist after 14 days of treatment.
MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT
PRESCRIPTION and antacids should be taken 30 minutes to one hour apart.
What can you do to help avoid symptoms:
- do not lie down or bend over soon after eating;
- if you are overweight, try to reduce excess weight;
- if you smoke, stop or cut down;
- avoid or limit foods such as: caffeine (coffee, tea, or cola drinks), chocolate, spicy or fatty fried foods and alcohol;
- try to reduce stress;
- do not eat large meals; eat late at night or before bedtime;
- raise the head of your bed;
- consider wearing loose fitting clothing around abdomen (stomach).
Overdose:
| In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Common side effects that have occurred with ranitidine include headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Other rare side effects observed with the use of ranitidine:
- Different types of anemia and decrease in number of all types of blood cells;
- Trouble sleeping or feeling sleepy
- Blurred vision, involuntary eye movement and intraocular pressure change
- Constipation, stomach pain, dry mouth, decrease in taste sensitivity and swelling of pancreas
- Joint or muscle pain, tremor and uncontrolled movement
- Weakness
- Nervousness, feeling confused, depressed, or excited, or seeing or hearing things that are not really there (hallucinations),
- Swelling of the spaces between renal tubes (in kidney)
- Unable to get or maintain an erection (impotence), unusual secretion of breast milk or breast enlargement in men
- Allergic reaction, skin itch, dermatitis and hair loss,
- Swelling of blood vessels.
If you have any concerns about the side effects, tell your Doctor or pharmacist.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFEC TS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptoms/effects | Talk with your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |||
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||||
| R a r e | Hypersensitivity Reaction Raised and itchy rash (hives), swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth (angioedema), chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fever, wheezing or difficulty in breathing, feeling faint, especially when standing up, collapse | ✓ | |||
| V e r y R a r e | Serious Skin Reactions Skin rash, which may blister, and look like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) | ✓ | |||
Hepatitis Liver failure: Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark or tea colored urine, pale colored stools/ bowel movements, nausea/ vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, aching or tenderness on right side below the ribs | ✓ | ||||
Cardiovascular Slow, fast or irregular heartbeat | ✓ | ||||
Central Nervous System Vertigo, meningitis, dystonia (movement disorder) | ✓ | ||||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Keep in a safe place out of reach and sight of children.
Store between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from light, excessive heat and moisture. Do not use after expiry date.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about MAXIMUM STRENGTH ACID REDUCER WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Heath Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); the manufacturer’s website www.pharmascience.com, or by calling 1-888-550-6060.
Pharmascience Inc.
Montréal, Québec
H4P 2T4
www.pharmascience.com