Zantac (Ranitidine Hcl) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 7, 2012

Zantac

Reflux Laryngitis »

Why does reflux laryngitis occur?

Reflux is caused by weakness in the muscle at the junction of the esophagus with the stomach. Normally, this muscular valve, or sphincter, functions to keep food and stomach acid from moving upward from the stomach to the esophagus and larynx. This valve opens to allow food into the stomach and closes to keep the stomach's contents from coming back up. The backward movement of stomach contents (gastric contents) up into the esophagus is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux.

Additionally, any increase in abdominal pressure (such as obesity), which can push acid back from the stomach up the esophagus, or a patient with a hiatal hernia, will have an increased risk for reflux. When it causes symptoms, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). When the acid backs up into the voice box (larynx), the condition is referred to as reflux laryngitis.

Stomach acid can cause irritati...

Read the Reflux Laryngitis article »

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Zantac

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ZANTAC® 150
(ranitidine hydrochloride) Tablets, USP

ZANTAC® 300
(ranitidine hydrochloride) Tablets, USP

ZANTAC® 25
(ranitidine hydrochloride effervescent) EFFERdose® Tablets

ZANTAC®
(ranitidine hydrochloride) Syrup, USP

DRUG DESCRIPTION

The active ingredient in ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 150 Tablets, ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 300 Tablets, ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 25 EFFERdose Tablets, and ZANTAC Syrup is ranitidine hydrochloride (HCl), USP, a histamine H₂-receptor antagonist. Chemically it is N[2-[[[5-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-2furanyl]methyl]thio]ethyl]-N'-methyl-2-nitro-1,1-ethenediamine, HCl. It has the following structure:

ZANTAC®
(ranitidine hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

The empirical formula is C₁₃H₂₂N₄O₃S•HCl, representing a molecular weight of 350.87.

Ranitidine HCl is a white to pale yellow, granular substance that is soluble in water. It has a slightly bitter taste and sulfurlike odor.

Each ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 150 Tablet for oral administration contains 168 mg of ranitidine HCl equivalent to 150 mg of ranitidine. Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and yellow iron oxide.

Each ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 300 Tablet for oral administration contains 336 mg of ranitidine HCl equivalent to 300 mg of ranitidine. Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients croscarmellose sodium, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) 25 EFFERdose Tablets for oral administration is an effervescent formulation of ranitidine that must be dissolved in water before use. Each individual tablet contains 28 mg of ranitidine HCl equivalent to 25 mg of ranitidine and the following inactive ingredients: aspartame, monosodium citrate anhydrous, povidone, and sodium bicarbonate. Each tablet also contains sodium benzoate. The total sodium content of each tablet is 30.52 mg (1.33 mEq) per 25 mg of ranitidine.

Each 1 mL of ZANTAC Syrup contains 16.8 mg of ranitidine HCl equivalent to 15 mg of ranitidine. ZANTAC (ranitidine hcl) Syrup also contains the inactive ingredients alcohol (7.5%), butylparaben, dibasic sodium phosphate, hypromellose, peppermint flavor, monobasic potassium phosphate, propylparaben, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, and sorbitol.

What are the possible side effects of ranitidine?

Stop using ranitidine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

chest pain, fever, feeling short of breath, coughing up green or yellow mucus;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fast or slow heart rate;
problems with your vision;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Zantac »

What are the precautions when taking ranitidine hcl (Zantac)?

Before taking ranitidine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other H2 histamine blockers (e.g., cimetidine, famotidine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain blood disorder (porphyria).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: immune system problems, kidney problems, liver problems, lung diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), other stomach problems (e.g.,...

Read All Potential Precautions of Zantac »

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/6/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.