Consumer Medicine Information
H2RA
Ranitidine (as hydrochloride) 150 mg Tablets
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about H2RA.
It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your pharmacist or doctor.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your pharmacist or doctor has weighed the risks of you taking H2RA against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What H2RA is used for
H2RA contains the active ingredient ranitidine hydrochloride. This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called H2-antagonists, also known as H2-blockers.
H2RA is used for the relief of heartburn (a painful burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat), indigestion and discomfort resulting from excess stomach acid (eg unsettled stomach or stomach pain).
These problems can be associated with conditions like:
- reflux oesophagitis (also known as reflux) - the flow back of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe (oesophagus), which occurs after eating or at night time, causes heartburn
- functional dyspepsia (indigestion) - pain or burning in epigastrium (between the navel and breastbone) that occurs in relation to meals or disturbed sleep
- stomach or duodenal ulcer disease (also known as peptic ulcer) - prolonged acid secretion in stomach in the absence of food (ie between meals and/or at night) causes burning, gnawing or hunger-like pain in epigastrium that may sometimes radiate to the back.
H2RA works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. This helps reduce the pain and indigestion. Since H2RA controls excess acid production for at least 12 hours, it brings rapid and long-lasting relief during day and night.
H2RA is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age, as it has not been fully studied in this group.
H2RA tablets are not addictive.
Before you take H2RA
When you must not take it
Do not take H2RA if you are allergic to medicines containing ranitidine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- lumpy skin rash ('hives'), hayfever or fainting.
Do not take H2RA if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Your pharmacist or doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking H2RA during pregnancy or breastfeeding (ranitidine passes into breast milk).
Do not take H2RA if you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless under the supervision of a doctor.
Do not take H2RA if the expiry date (Exp.) printed on the pack has passed.
It may not work as well if you do.
Do not take H2RA if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you have or have had:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- acute porphyria (uncommon genetic condition)
- other medical conditions
- worsening indigestion/heartburn symptoms, new or additional symptoms, or symptoms recur frequently
- indigestion symptoms for the first time at age over 40 years old
- unintended weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, passage of blood or 'coffee grounds' like matter in vomit or black faeces
- a peptic ulcer (stomach or duodenal ulcer)
- been a smoker.
If you have not told your pharmacist or doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking H2RA.
Taking other medicines
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking or have taken any other medicines, including those you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by H2RA or may affect how well it works. These include:
- sucralfate (Carafate™), another medicine used to treat and prevent peptic ulcer
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), medicines for pain and inflammation.
Your pharmacist or doctor can tell you what to do when taking these medicines. If you are not sure whether you are taking these medicines, check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Your pharmacist and doctor have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking H2RA.
How to take H2RA
Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist or doctor carefully.
How much to take
For adults and children over 12 years, the recommended dose is one H2RA tablet. If symptoms recur, a second tablet may be taken 1 hour later if needed. Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours.
How to take H2RA
Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. The tablet may be taken with or without food.
When to take H2RA
Take H2RA tablet as soon as you have any symptoms, at any time of the day or night.
How long to take H2RA
H2RA tablets should not be taken for more than 14 days without seeking the advice of your doctor. If your symptoms are no better or get worse, consult your doctor.
If you take too much H2RA (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, or the National Poisons Information Centre (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too many H2RA tablets.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking H2RA
Things you must do
Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking H2RA.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking H2RA.
Tell your doctors if your indigestion/heartburn symptoms persist, recur or worsen, or you have new or additional symptoms.
If you become pregnant or trying to become pregnant while taking H2RA, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Things you must not do
Do not use H2RA to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not use H2RA with NSAIDs unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how H2RA affects you.
Generally, H2RA is unlikely to make you drowsy or dizzy. However, as with many other medicines, H2RA may cause dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to H2RA before driving a car or operating machinery. If you drink alcohol, dizziness may be worse.
Things that may help your heartburn and indigestion
The following self-care measures may help your condition:
Eating habit
- eat smaller, more frequent meals
- avoid rushing at meals times or large meals just before bedtime
- avoid foods that disagree with you, eg spicy, acidic, fatty or fried food.
Healthy lifestyle
- avoid overindulge in alcohol
- avoid too much coffee or caffeine-containing drinks
- give up or reduce your smoking
- lose weight if you are overweight.
Relaxation
- manage stress with adequate breaks
- regular exercise, eg yoga or walking, but avoid stressful activities
- regular sleeping time to unwind stress.
Other measures
- avoid tight belts or tight clothes at mid-riff
- raise the head of your bed slightly or use extra pillow to help reduce night-time symptoms.
Side effects
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking H2RA.
Like other medicines, H2RA can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- headache
- dizziness, sleepiness
- joint or muscle pain
- diarrhoea, constipation
- nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, stomach cramps or pain
- inability to sleep
- blurred vision
- depressed feeling or agitation.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- fast, slow or irregular heartbeats
- severe upper stomach pain together with nausea or vomiting
- yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- skin rash (red spots), itching
- confusion, hallucinations
- signs of frequent infections like fevers, sore throat, mouth ulcers or severe chills
- general ill health associated with weight loss
- tiredness, being short of breath and looking pale
- bruising or bleeding more easily than normal.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital if you notice any of the following after taking H2RA:
- lumpy, itchy skin rash ('hives') or severe skin reactions
- swelling of the face, mouth, throat or limbs
- chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
These may be symptoms of an allergic reaction to the tablets. Allergic reactions are rare.
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After taking H2RA
Storage
Keep H2RA 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.
Keep your tablets in the blister packs in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store H2RA or any other medicines in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave the tablets in the car or on window sills.
Heat, light and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Disposal
If your pharmacist or doctor tells you to stop taking H2RA, or your 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
H2RA is a white, round tablet marked '150' on one side and '>' on the reverse. Each pack contains 10 tablets.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in H2RA is ranitidine (as hydrochloride). Each H2RA tablet contains 150 mg of ranitidine.
The tablets also contain
- microcrystalline cellulose
- croscarmellose sodium
- magnesium stearate
- Opadry II White YS-22-18096.
The tablets do not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any azo dyes.
Supplier
H2RA is distributed in New Zealand by:
Arrow Pharmaceuticals (NZ) Limited
Mount Eden Central Business Park
33a Normanby Road, Mt Eden
Auckland, New Zealand.
Date of preparation
14 September 2007