Gertac (Ranitidine) Tablets

• To heal and stop ulcers in the stomach, or the part of the gut it empties into (the duodenum)
• To stop stomach ulcers when they are a side effects of some medicines
• To heal and stop problems caused by acid in the food pipe (oesophagus) or too much acid in the stomach. Both of these can cause pain or discomfort sometimes known as ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux’ ‘indigestion’, ‘dyspepsia’ or ‘heartburn’
• To stop acid coming up from the stomach while under anaesthetic during an operation
• To prevent ulcers from bleeding
• To treat other conditions where reduction of acid in the stomach is likely to be beneficial

For Children 3 to 18 years:

• For the short term treatment of ulcers in the stomach, or the part of the gut that it empties into (the duodenum)
• To heal and stop problems caused by acid in the food pipe (oesophagus) or too much acid in the stomach.
• Both of these can cause pain or discomfort sometimes known as ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux’
• ‘indigestion’, ‘dyspepsia’ or ‘heartburn’

How does it work?

• Gertac 150mg & 300mg film coated tablets contain ranitidine, one of a group of medicines called H2 antagonists.
• This group of medicines reduces the amount of acid produced in your stomach.

When and how do I use it?

Swallow each table whole with a drink of water.

What’s the dose?

The usual dose for an adult (including the elderly) and adolescents (12 years and over) is either:

• 150 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening, or 300 mg at bedtime.
• This may be increased 300mg twice daily.
• It is important that you keep taking the medicine until you finish the full course of treatment prescribed.
• Even when you feel better your doctor may decide to continue your treatment with Gertac Tablets in order to prevent the pain and discomfort from returning.
• A maintenance dose of 150mg at night may be used.

Children from 3 to 11 years and over 30 kg of weight:

If prescribed for a child, your doctor will work out the right dose based on your child’s weight.

Treatment of stomach or duodenal ulcers:

•  2 mg for each kg of body weight, twice a day for four weeks.
• This dose may be increased to 4 mg for each kg, twice a day to a maximum dose of 300 mg per day.
• Each dose should be taken about 12 hours apart.
• The duration of treatment for stomach and duodenal ulcers may be increased to 8 weeks.

Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux:

• 2.5 mg to 5mg for each kg of body weight twice a day to a maximum dose of 600 mg per day.
• It is important that your child keeps taking the medicine until the full course of treatment prescribed is finished.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Please tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines to treat any of the following conditions: 

• irregular heart beat (e.g. procainamide, N-acetyl procainamide)
• resist infections (e.g. ketaconazole, atazanavir or delaviridine)
• diabetes (e.g. glipizide)
• anxiety (e.g. triazolam, midazolam)
• chemotherapy treatment (e.g. gefitnib)
• anticoagulants (medicines to thin your blood e.g. warfarin)

Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

After a few days you should feel much better but don't stop taking the tablets or the pain and discomfort may return. 

Most people taking this medicine find that it causes no problems. As with all medicines, a few people may find that it causes side effects.

A few people can be allergic to some medicines; if any of the following side-effects come on soon after taking these tablets, STOP the tablets and tell your doctor immediately:

•  Sudden wheeziness and chest pain or chest tightness
•  Swelling of eyelids, face, lips, mouth or tongue
•  Lumpy skin rash or "hives" anywhere on the body
•  Unexplained fever
•  Feeling faint, especially on standing up

Also check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of these uncommon side-effects are noticed:

•  Confusion
•  Nausea and loss of appetite, which are worse than normal and/or jaundice (yellow colouring of the skin or the whites of the eyes) as this may be due to hepatitis (inflammation/infection of the liver).
•  Slow or irregular heart beat
•  Blurred vision
•  Skin reaction, occasionally severe (red/purple spots or rash)
•  Hair loss
•  Impotence
•  Severe stomach pain or a change in the type of pain
•  Unusual tiredness, shortness of breath or tendency to infections or bruising, which can be caused by upsets to ‘blood counts’
•  Diarrhoea

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Gertac.
• Always check with your pharmacist or doctor first though as other medicines you may be taking might have a effect on this.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

You should only take this medicine during pregnancy or while breast feeding if your doctor thinks you need it.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://www.rxlist.com/zantac-drug.htm

http://www.drugs.com/zantac.html

http://www.medbroadcast.com/Drug/GetDrug/Zantac

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranitidine

https://www.zantacotc.com/