Rantac Tablet: Uses, Side Effects, Composition, Price & Dosage

Rantac Tablet: Uses, Side Effects, Composition, Price & Dosage post thumbnail image

Rantac Tablet Manufactured by J.B. Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Rantac Tablet is a drug that belongs to the category of H2 Antagonists. One tablet of Rantac contains 150 mg Ranitidine as its active ingredient. The medicine is effective in reducing the excessive acid-production in stomach. It is useful in the treatment and prevention of disorders caused due to excessive acid production such as acid reflux diseases and gastric ulcers.

NatureH2 Antagonist
UsesGastric Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer, Gastroesophagal Reflux Diseases, Hypersecretory Condition, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Erosive Esophagitis
CompositionRanitidine
Side EffectsNausea, Vomiting, Headache, Dizziness, Diarrhoea, Difficulty in breathing, Stomach pain, Muscle pain, Gynecomastia, Mental Confusion
PrecautionsHypersensitivity, Liver-related diseases, Renal Disease Gastro-intestinal bleeding, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Pneumonia, Vitamin Deficiency, Phenylketonuria, Use of nicotine

Uses and Benedits of Rantac Tablet:

Rantac is an H2 Antagonist that is primarily used for reducing excessive acid production in the stomach. A few medical conditions when a doctor may prescribe Rantac are:

  • Gastric Ulcer : Commonly known as ‘ stomach ulcers’, gastric ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach and oesophagus.
  • Duodenal Ulcer : These are the type of peptic ulcers that develop in the upper part of the small intestines.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases : Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a kind of digestive disorder that affects the inner lining of the food pipe, especially lower oesophagal sphincter (the muscle ring between oesophagus and stomach).
  • Hypersecretory Condition : Hypersecretory condition refers to a group of disorders characterized by excessive secretion of gastric acid. Typically, the group includes hypergastrinemia and hyperhistaminemia.
  • Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome : It is a condition characterized of by overproduction gastric acid by the gastrin-secreting tumour present in the pancreas, thereby leading to recurrent peptic ulcers.
  • Erosive Esophagitis : Erosive Esophagitis is a condition associated with backing up of the stomach acids. It often leads to the damaging of the oesophagus.

A few other conditions when Rantac may be used are:

  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Stress Ulcer
  • Prophylaxis of aspiration pneumonia

Side Effects of Rantac:

The side effects reported with the use of Rantac include the following but the list is not exclusive:

Several side effects have been reported with the use of Rantac. A few common side-effects are:

  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Muscular pain
  • Deficiencies (Vitamin B12, Iron)
  • Bacterial growth in gut and infections
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rashes and allergy symptoms
  • Liver inflammation
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Hallucination
  • Blurry vision
  • Breathlessness
  • Increased pulse rate

Common Dosage of Rantac Tablet:

The patient should administer Rantac Tablet in accordance with the instructions prescribed by the doctor. Usually, doctors prescribe two tablets a day. The dosage may vary with the severity of the ailment to be treated. A few other factors that help decide the dosage are the BMI of the patient, age of the patient and other underlying health concerns.

  • Missed Dose: Patients should take the missed dose as soon as it is remembered. However, it is advisable not to take the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose.
  • Overdose: Overdose may show serious side effects or drug toxicity and thus one should refrain from taking an overdose. However, if an overdose is suspected, one must rush to a doctor to seek immediate medical attention.

Composition and Nature of Rantac:

Rantac is an H2 Antagonists that comprises of 150 mg Ranitidine. Ranitidine is responsible for blocking the action of Histamine Receptors (H2 receptors).

Rantac Tablet Price in India:

VariantPrice (in INR)Quantity
Rantac 150 Tablet23.2030 Tablets
Rantac Syrup76.16100 ml
Rantac 25mg Injection3.32 ml
Rantac OD 300 Tablet CR54.410 Tablets
Rantac 25 mg Injection18.85 vials
Rantac 300 mg Tablet36.8120 Tablets

When is Rantac Prescribed?

Rantac is an H2 receptor antagonist that is primarily used to treat and prevent disorders caused due to excessive acid secretion in the stomach.   It is generally prescribed to relieve the symptoms associated with Gastric Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer, Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases, Hypersecretory Condition, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and Erosive Esophagitis.

How to Use Rantac?

Rantac should be consumed as per the prescription of the doctor or the patient should follow the directions prescribed on the label. One should not increase or decrease the dosage without consulting the doctor. It is advised to swallow the tablet as a whole, without chewing, crushing or breaking it. Rantac Tablet should be taken orally with a glass of water, preferably half an hour before a meal.

How Rantac Works?

Rantac is an H2 antagonist that comprises of Ranitidine as its active ingredient. Ranitidine works by inhibiting the action of Histamine at H2 receptors in the gastric parietal cells, thereby slowing down the gastric acid secretion process.

Precautions and Warnings Related To Rantac Tablet:

A few concerns that should be taken into consideration before consuming Rantac Tablet are:

  • Renal Impairment : Rantac has been reported for showing severe side-effects in patients suffering from renal impairment. It should hence be used with extra care and caution in patients having a known history of kidney related disorder. Appropriate dose adjustment and close monitoring of kidney function are required in such cases.
  • Pregnancy : When consumed during pregnancy, Rantac Tablet might show adverse effects on the foetus. For this reason, the use of this medicine in pregnant women should be avoided unless potential benefits outweigh the risks. One must consult the doctor for case-specific recommendations.
  • Breastfeeding : The drug may pass into breast milk and may harm the infant. For this reason, nursing mothers should talk to a doctor before consuming this medicine.
  • Pneumonia : Rantac tablet has been reported for increasing the risk of developing pneumonia. Therefore, it is advised to consult a doctor in case of excessive chest pain, fever and cough during the duration of the medicine.
  • Vitamin Deficiency : Use of Rantac tablet may interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12 and hence it is advised to avoid the use of this medicine in case of vitamin deficiency.

A few other precautions that should be kept in mind are:

  • Self-medication is strictly not recommended with Rantac.
  • Rantac should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Overdosing or missing of the dose should be avoided.
  • Rantac should never be consumed with alcohol as it may lead to severe complications.
  • Rantac tablet should be taken as a whole and should not be chewed or crushed.
  • If antacid has been taken then allow two hours gap before consuming Rantac.
  • Avoid taking citrus drinks and soft drinks as they may increase acidity levels in the body.
  • Keep Rantac tablets in room temperatures away from sunlight and moisture.
  • Co-administration of nicotine and Rantac should be avoided as it may lead to an increased risk of side-effects.

Use of Rantac should be avoided in case of:

  • Hypersensitivity to Ranitidine
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Children below the age of 12

Substitutes of Rantac Tablet:

The following medications can be taken as substitutes for Rantac 150:

  • Rantodac 150 by PCI Pharmaceuticals
  • Renit 150 by Agron Remedies
  • Pepdec 150 by Seagul Pharmaceuticals
  • Rantime 150 by Elder Pharmaceuticals
  • Aztec 150 by Ind Swift Labs
  • Antec by Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
  • Ulicirid by Unichem Laboratories Ltd.
  • Zoran by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.
  • H2 Loc by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
  • Zantac OTC by Boehringer Ingelheim

Rantac Interaction with Other Drugs:

Interactions with drugs:

Mixing two or more medicines may change how the drug works and may increase the risk of side-effects. A few drugs that may react with Rantac are:

  • Nevirapine (Life-threatening)
  • Efavirenz (Life-threatening)
  • Itraconazole (Severe)
  • Voglibose (Severe)
  • Ketoconazole (Severe)
  • Posaconazole(Severe)
  • Miglitol (Severe)
  • Acarbose (Severe)
  • Metformin (Severe)
  • Clotrimazole (Severe)
  • Terbinafine (Severe)
  • Indinavir (Severe)
  • Tolbutamide (Mild)
  • Phenytonin (Mild)
  • Gliclazide (Mild)
  • Cyclosporin (Mild)
  • Glipizide (Mild)
  • Glibenclamide (Mild)
  • Dipyridamole (Mild)
  • Phenindione (Mild)
  • Fosphenytoin (Mild)
  • Warfarin (Mild)
  • Glimepiride (Mild)
  • Fluconazole (Mild)
  • Voriconazole (Mild)

Disease Interactions:

Rantac Tablet should not be consumed by the patients in case they are suffering from:

  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding
  • Liver Disease

Interactions with Lab Tests:

Consumption of Rantac may result in false positive results of the test:

  • Urine Protein Test
  • Kidney Function Test

Variants of Rantac:

Variants of Rantac are:

  • Rantac 150 Tablet
  • Rantac Syrup
  • Rantac 25mg Injection
  • Rantac OD 300 Tablet CR
  • Rantac 25 mg Injection
  • Rantac 300 mg Tablet

Rantac Suspension:

Rantac is available in the form of tablet and suspension. The suspension is available as Rantac Syrup with composition – Ranitidine (75 mg/5 ml).

Medicines That Should Not be taken with Rantac Tablet:

Taking Rantac Tablet in combination with other over the counter medicines, herbal medicines or vitamin supplements may increase the risk of side effects. A few drugs that should never be taken with Rantac are:

  • Nevirapine
  • Efavirenz
  • Itraconazole
  • Voglibose
  • Posaconazole
  • Clotrimazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Ketoconazole
  • Miglitol
  • Acarbose
  • Metformin
  • Indinavir

How to Store Rantac?

It is advisable to store the medicine in a cool and dry place away from direct heat and sunlight. One must keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets. The packaging of this medicine must be kept intact in order to maintain its effect when being administered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1) How is Rantac different from Antacid?

Ans: Both Rantac and Antacid provide relief in acidity and heartburn, but the mode of operation of the two medicines differs. Rantac acts by blocking H2 Histamine receptors whereas Antacid acts by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Rantac is prescribed for medical conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid or acid production in the stomach needs to be stopped due to medical reasons. Antacids are for temporary relief for acidity due to overeating. Antacid tablets or powder sachets can be purchased over the counter from most of the chemist shops. Ideally, a patient who wants to take Rantac should take it only under medical advice.

2) How is Rantac different from Omeprazole?

Ans: Omeprazole also inhibits acid production in the stomach but in a manner different from Ranitidine. Whereas Ranitidine inhibits acid production in the stomach by blocking the H2 receptor, Omeprazole inhibits acid production by inhibiting proton pump action. Omeprazole belongs to the category of proton pump inhibitor whereas Rantac (Ranitidine) belongs to the category of H2 blocker. Proton pumps are found in the cells lining the stomach and secrete acid. Both the drugs have their set of own advantages, disadvantages, interactions and limitations and it is up to the doctor to choose acid inhibiting mechanism as per the medical condition of the patient.

3) What are the other drugs that belong to the category of H2 Blockers?

Ans: Other drugs that belong to the category of H2 blockers include Cimetidine, Famotidine and Nizatidine.

4) Can Rantac Tablet cause stomach infections?

Ans: The acidic medium in the stomach prevents bacterial growth. As Rantac lowers down the acid level in the stomach, it makes an apt environment for bacteria to multiply in the gut and spread to other parts of the body like lungs and liver. When doctors see such possibility they prescribe other medicines in combination with Rantac, so as to prevent bacterial infections. They prescribe Rantac for a specified time and duration, and only till the time its benefits outweigh its negative possibilities.

5) Can Diabetics take Rantac?

Ans: Diabetics are often prescribed Metformin. As Metformin is known for showing interactions with Ranitidine, diabetic people should avoid taking Rantac. The doctor should be consulted for case-specific recommendations.

6) How long does Rantac take to bring relief action?

Ans: Patients can feel relief usually after an hour of taking Rantac through oral or intravenous route.

7) In which countries is Rantac tablet approved?

Ans: Rantac is approved in USA, Japan and India.

8) What is Rantac tablet used for?

Ans: Rantac is an H2 Antagonist that is used to reduce excessive acid production in the stomach. It is useful in treating and preventing certain problems associated with stomach and oesophagus, such as GERD, ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

9) How many minutes before a meal should I take Rantac tablet?

Ans: Rantac should be taken 30-60 minutes before eating food that causes indigestion.

10) Can I take Rantac to relieve bloating?

Ans: Yes, you may consume Rantac to relieve bloating in the stomach. The medicine is known for reducing the acid production in the stomach; it is thus useful to relieve belching, bloating, and feelings of pressure/discomfort in the stomach.

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