Zantac (Sanofi Consumer Health): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the medication is used for:

ZANTAC is a commonly used acid reliever prescribed by doctors world-wide.

ZANTAC 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:

ZANTAC works by reducing and controlling the amount of acid, in your stomach for up to 12 hours, day or night. This is what makes ZANTAC different from antacids which only neutralise the acid in your stomach. Antacids do not reduce the production of excess stomach acid.

ZANTAC starts to relieve symptoms of burning, pain and discomfort of heartburn, acid indigestion, upset or sour stomach and hyperacidity at 30 minutes.

ZANTAC 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 ZANTAC 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 ZANTAC 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 ZANTAC tablet contains 75 mg of ranitidine, as ranitidine hydrochloride.

What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:

Unflavoured Tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide and triacetin

ZANTAC is Sodium, Gluten and Sugar Free.

What dosage forms it comes in:

Unflavoured Tablets: 75 mg

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Avoid taking Zantac while breastfeeding.

BEFORE you use ZANTAC 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 ZANTAC 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 ZANTAC.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose:

Adults and children 16 years and older: swallow one 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 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.

ZANTAC 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:

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Common side effects that have occurred with ZANTAC 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.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking ZANTAC, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

Keep in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.

Store between 15 and 30° C.

Avoid excessive humidity.

REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Sanofi Consumer Health Inc. at: 1 800-636-3664.

Last revised: December 5, 2019