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Why is this medication prescribed?
Ranitidine bismuth is used to treat intestinal ulcers.
It helps fight infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria,
which often occurs with ulcers. Treating this infection
helps keep ulcers from coming back. It is used in
combination with other medicines.
This medication is sometimes prescribed
for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for
more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Ranitidine bismuth comes as a tablet to take by mouth.
It usually is taken twice a day with or without food.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully,
and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part
you do not understand. Take ranitidine bismuth exactly
as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Ranitidine bismuth must be used for
at least 4 weeks to treat your ulcer completely. Continue
to take ranitidine bismuth even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking ranitidine bismuth without talking
to your doctor.
What special precautions should I
follow?
Before taking ranitidine bismuth,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if
you are allergic to ranitidine (Zantac) or any other
drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription
and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially
aspirin, antacids, and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney,
blood, or liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant
while taking ranitidine bismuth, call your doctor.
tell your doctor if you have ever taken this medicine
or any other medicine to treat ulcers. If your ulcer
symptoms do not get better in the first few days,
tell your doctor. You may need to take a different
medicine.
RANITIDINE DRUG INFO
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What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do
not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication
cause?
Although side effects from ranitidine bismuth are
not common, they can occur. Darkening of the tongue
and stool is temporary and harmless. Tell your doctor
if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
dizziness
change in sense of taste
constipation
stomach pain
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call
your doctor immediately:
bloody, black, or tarry stools
fever
sore throat
mental confusion
yellowing of the skin or eyes
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in,
tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store
it at room temperature and away from excess heat and
moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication
that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your
pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control
center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services
at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your
response to ranitidine bismuth.
Do not let anyone else take your
medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have
about refilling your prescription.
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