Chem mart(R) Ranitidine Tablets
Ranitidine (ra-NIT-ti-deen)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Chem mart Ranitidine. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor and pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking ranitidine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Chem mart Ranitidine is used for
Ranitidine tablets contain ranitidine (as hydrochloride) as the active ingredient.
Ranitidine belongs to a group of medicines called H2 Antagonists or H2 Blockers.
Ranitidine works by decreasing the amount of acid made by the stomach. This helps reduce pain and also allows an ulcer and/or reflux disease to heal in most people.
Ulcers
Ulcers may be caused in part by too much acid being made in the stomach.
Depending on the position of the ulcer, an ulcer is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum which is the tube leading out of the stomach.
Ranitidine is used to help heal ulcers as well as prevent relapse in already healed ulcers.
Reflux oesophagitis
Ranitidine is also used to treat reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease as well as prevent relapse in already treated reflux oesophagitis. This can be caused by “washing back” (reflux) of food from the stomach into the food pipe, also known as the oesophagus.
Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Ranitidine is also used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the stomach produces very large amounts of acid, much more than in ulcers and reflux disease.
Before you take Chem mart Ranitidine
When you must not take it
Do not take ranitidine if you have an allergy to ranitidine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, wheeziness, swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat, low blood pressure or collapse.
Do not take ranitidine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not take ranitidine if it is past the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well or it may make you feel sick.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking ranitidine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other health problems/medical conditions, including:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using ranitidine during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breast feeding or plan to breast feed
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using ranitidine during breast feeding.
Tell your doctor if you smoke
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take/are given ranitidine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with ranitidine. These include:-
These medicines may be affected by ranitidine or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking ranitidine.
How to take Chem mart Ranitidine
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much ranitidine to take and how often to take it.
The amount of ranitidine you will be required to take will depend on your medical condition and whether you are taking other medicines.
How long to take it
Your doctor will decide how long you will need to take ranitidine tablets.
How to take it
Ranitidine tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.
When to take it
It is not necessary to take ranitidine tablets at any specific time with relation to meals.
If ranitidine is prescribed twice a day, the best time to take it is in the morning and at bedtime.
If ranitidine is prescribed once daily, the best time to take it is at bedtime.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
If you forget to take it:
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to casualty at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much ranitidine. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Keep telephone numbers of these places/services handy.
While you are using Chem mart Ranitidine
Things you must do
Take ranitidine tablets exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking ranitidine.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking ranitidine.
Inform your doctor immediately if you get any signs of liver problems, eg. yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, fever, sore muscles and/or joints.
If you become pregnant while you are taking ranitidine tell your doctor.
Things you must not do
Do not stop taking your tablets because you are feeling better, unless advised by your doctor.
Do not give ranitidine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not use ranitidine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how ranitidine affects you.
Ranitidine generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, as with many other medicines, ranitidine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people.
Things that may help your condition
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking ranitidine.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
While taking it
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
If any of the following happen, stop using ranitidine and tell your doctor immediately or go to casualty at your nearest hospital:
After using Chem mart Ranitidine
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Chem mart Ranitidine tablets are available in two different strengths:
white, round tablets, scored on one side, and marked “APO” over “150” on the other.
white, capsule-shaped tablets, scored on one side, and marked “APO 300” on the other.
Ingredients
Chem mart Ranitidine tablets contain ranitidine hydrochloride as the active ingredient. Chem mart Ranitidine tablets are available in two strengths:
Chem mart Ranitidine tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients:
Chem mart Ranitidine does not contain gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.