Zantac
® (
ranitidine hydrochloride) is a medication that is available as both a prescription medicine and an over-the-counter drug. It is used to treat several conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Zantac belongs to a class of drugs known as
H2 blockers.
GlaxoSmithKline manufactures prescription Zantac. Over-the-counter Zantac is made by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
Generic Zantac (both prescription and over-the-counter) is made by several manufacturers.
Uses of prescription Zantac include the treatment of:
- Duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the very first part of the intestine after the stomach) -- Zantac can be used to treat a duodenal ulcer and also to prevent ulcers from coming back.
- Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) -- Zantac helps to heal a stomach ulcer and to keep ulcers from returning.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus, usually due to stomach acid) -- Zantac can be used to heal erosive esophagitis and to prevent it from returning.
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions (in which too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or systemic mastocytosis.
Over-the-counter Zantac is approved for the following conditions:
Over-the-counter Zantac can be used to treat these problems once they have started. Also, it can be used to prevent these problems if taken before eating or drinking foods or beverages that may cause heartburn.
(Click Zantac Uses for more information on what Zantac is used for, including possible off-label uses of the medication.)
Zantac works by blocking a specific kind of histamine receptor. Histamine is a chemical released by the body that has several effects. In the stomach, histamine causes more acid to be produced. By blocking histamine in the stomach, Zantac reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. This is why Zantac is known as an "acid reducer."
There have been several studies conducted to assess how effective Zantac is for treating various conditions, including:
- Ulcers
- GERD
- Erosive esophagitis
- Certain pathological hypersecretory conditions.
Ulcers
In one study assessing the effectiveness of using Zantac for treating duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers), 73 percent of people who took the medicine had healed ulcers after four weeks of treatment. Only 45 percent of people who were not taking Zantac had their duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Another study looking at preventing duodenal ulcers from returning after healing found that 35 percent of people taking Zantac had another duodenal ulcer within one year, compared to 59 percent of people not taking Zantac.
In a study on using Zantac for gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer) treatment, 68 percent of people taking Zantac experienced stomach ulcer healing within six weeks. Ulcers healed in 51 percent of people who were not on Zantac. Studies have also shown that Zantac can help prevent stomach ulcers from returning after they have healed.
GERD
Several studies have looked at using Zantac to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These studies have shown that people taking Zantac have greater relief of their GERD symptoms, including
heartburn symptoms, than people not taking Zantac. These studies have also shown that Zantac can provide
heartburn relief within one day of starting the medication.
Erosive Esophagitis
Zantac was studied as a treatment for erosive esophagitis (damage to the lining of the esophagus, often due to stomach acid), and healing was seen in 84 percent of people taking Zantac, compared to 58 percent of people not taking the drug. Zantac was also shown to be effective for preventing erosive esophagitis from returning once it had healed.
Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
Zantac has been studied as a treatment for several pathological hypersecretory conditions (in which too much stomach acid is produced), including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, and "short-gut" syndrome. These studies showed that Zantac is effective in decreasing stomach acid production and relieving symptoms, including
diarrhea, pain, and loss of appetite.
When and How to Take Zantac
Some general considerations for when and how to take Zantac include the following:
- Zantac comes in tablet form. Depending on the condition it is being used to treat, people generally take Zantac by mouth one to four times a day.
- Peppermint-flavored Zantac syrup is available only with a prescription.
- Zantac also comes in an EFFERdose® tablet form that has a light citrus taste. Zantac EFFERdose tablets are meant to be dissolved in water before being taken. Zantac EFFERdose is especially effective for use in children. Zantac EFFERdose tablets are available only with a prescription.
- EFFERdose tablets should never be chewed, swallowed whole, or dissolved on the tongue. Instead, EFFERdose tablets must be dissolved in a certain amount of water before they are taken.
- You may take Zantac with or without food. If you are using over-the-counter Zantac to prevent heartburn, you should take Zantac 30 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking foods or beverages that cause heartburn (up to twice a day).
- Take Zantac at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood. If you take Zantac just once a day, it is usually best to take it in the evening or before bedtime.
- For Zantac to work properly, you must take it as prescribed. Zantac will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Zantac that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition for which you are being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As with any medication, do not adjust your Zantac dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(Click Zantac Dosage for more information about dosing for Zantac.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Zantac. However, not everyone who takes Zantac will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Zantac well. When Zantac side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of Zantac include:
(Click Zantac Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of Zantac, including information about rare but serious health problems that may occur with the drug.)
You can also read about other possible side effects by going to the following eMedTV articles:
Drug Interactions With Zantac
Zantac can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
Zantac: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Before taking Zantac, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Acute porphyria
- Phenylketonuria.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much Zantac may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Changes in walking pattern
- Muscle tremors or shakiness
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing.
If you happen to overdose on Zantac, seek medical attention immediately.
Store Zantac at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Keep Zantac tablets in an airtight container.
As with all medications, keep Zantac out of the reach of children.
Zantac: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Zantac as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Zantac.
Prescription Zantac is available in several forms and strengths, including:
- Zantac 150 mg tablets
- Zantac 300 mg tablets
- Zantac 25 mg EFFERdose tablets
- Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose tablets
- Zantac syrup 15 mg per mL (75 mg per teaspoonful).
Zantac is also available in an injectable form for use in hospitals.
Over-the-counter Zantac is available in two strengths:
- Zantac 75 Acid Reducer -- containing 75 mg of Zantac
- Maximum Strength Zantac 150 Acid Reducer -- containing 150 mg of Zantac.
There is currently both brand-name and generic Zantac licensed for sale (both prescription and over-the-counter). However, not all forms and dosages of Zantac are available as generics.
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