Ranitidine (Zantac)

Famotidine belongs to the same class of medication (H2-blocker) as Ranitidine and works similarly. It helps to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach to treat conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and heartburn.

When you place an order for Ranitidine online, our doctor will offer a suitable alternative for you.

Buy Zantac online

Zantac is an effective heartburn treatment which contains 150mg or 300mg of ranitidine.

You can safely buy Zantac online from Prescription Doctor. Our trusted, UK registered pharmacy are able to dispense and dispatch this heartburn treatment directly to your door via a fast, discreet delivery service. Qualified doctors are on hand to answer any questions you may have about this treatment. To order Zantac today, simply fill out our short medical questionnaire.

If your order is approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday, our pharmacy will dispatch your item the same day for a next day delivery.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest area due to acid reflux, a condition resulting from stomach acid moving up into the oesophagus. Also known as Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), heartburn happens due to weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter found at the top of the stomach.

Heartburn not only causes discomfort, there is also the risk of exacerbating asthma symptoms and serious damage due to oesophagus tissue exposure.

How does Zantac work?

Ranitidine belongs to a class of drugs called H2 (Histamin-2) blockers and it works by blocking acid production in the stomach. Parietal cells in the stomach produce acid after stimulation by a naturally occurring chemical known as histamine. Zantac, an H2 blocker, prevents the action of histamine on the parietal cells, hence causing a reduction in acid production in the stomach.

By preventing the production of excess gastric acid, Zantac helps to prevent and treat acid-induced heartburn, which can cause damage to the duodenum, stomach and oesophagus.

How do I take Zantac?

Zantac should always be taken as the pharmacist or doctor says. Consult a pharmacist or doctor in case you are not sure of the prescribed dosage. The recommended dosage for adults is:

• 300 mg during sleep time, or
• 150 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening

The precise Zantac dosage depends on the condition of your stomach, and the pharmacist or doctor will inform you about the dose you need to take.

Swallow each tablet whole with a glass of water. Zantac can be taken with or without food.

Side effects and cautions

Before taking Zantac, it is important to familiarise yourself with the patient information leaflet (PIL) enclosed with your medicine. You should retain this leaflet, should you need to refer back to it in the future.

Allergies

Do not take Zantac if you are allergic to ranitidine or any of the following ingredients:

• Croscarmellose sodium
• Magnesium stearate
• Methylhydroxypropyl cellulose (E464)
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Titanium dioxide (E171)
• Triacetin

If you experience the signs of an allergic reaction after taking Zantac, cease treatment and notify your doctor. For severe allergic reactions, go straight to your nearest A&E department. Take the medicine and any packaging with you so doctors know exactly what you have taken.

Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat.
• Watery eyes

Contraindications and precautions

If you are unsure whether Zantac is suitable for you, speak to our doctor.

Do not take Zantac if you:

• Are diabetic
• Are over 65 years old
• Have acute porphyria
• Have had stomach ulcers
• Have kidney problems
• Have lung disease
• Have problems with your immune system
• Have stomach cancer

Inform our doctor of all the medicine you are taking, including those on prescription, bought over-the-counter from pharmacies, and health or diet supplements.

In particular, tell our doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen

• Atazanavir or delaviridine (for HIV infections)
• Diazapam
• Gefitnib
• Glipizide
• Ketoconazole
• Lidocaine
• N-acetylprocainamide
• Phenytoin (for epilepsy)
• Procainamide
• Propranolol
• Sucralfate
• Theophylline (for asthma)
• Triazolam
• Warfarin

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Inform our doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant. Zantac may not be suitable to take while breastfeeding. Before taking Zantac, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure the safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody gets them. We encourage you to read the patient information leaflet (PIL), which comes enclosed with your medicine, before you start taking your medicine.

Uncommon side effects (may affect 1 in 100 people) include:

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Rare side effects (may affect 1 in 1,000 people) include:

• Changes in liver function
• Increased serum creatinine in the blood
• Skin rash

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of this medicine can be found in the patient information leaflet (PIL) enclosed with your medicine.

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects, whether listed above or in enclosed leaflet, notify your doctor or a pharmacist for assistance.

Always keep medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Never share your medicine with anyone else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do after forgetting to take Zantac at the recommended time?

If you forget to take Zantac at the recommended time, take it the moment you remember. Continue taking Zantac as prescribed and never take more to make up for skipped dose.

What do I do if I take too much Zantac?

If you take too much Zantac, consult your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Can I drink alcohol when taking Zantac?

Though it is unlikely for alcohol to interact with Zantac, avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption during heartburn treatment is advised, because alcohol can worsen the symptoms.

Will Zantac affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Zantac shouldn’t impact your ability to operate machinery or drive. Should side effects such as visual disturbances, fatigue, or dizziness that might interfere with your concentration ability arise, refrain from operating machinery and driving until you are fit to do so.

How long will it take for Zantac to start working?

Zantac starts working one hour after administration and effects of this medication will last up to 12 hours.

Can I take Zantac with Gaviscon?

You can take Gaviscon to ease heartburn symptoms while taking Zantac. Zantac can also be taken with analgesics such as paracetamol to relieve oesophageal pain.