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• What your tablets do

Zantac Tablets contain ranitidine, one of a group of medicines called H2 antagonists. They cut down the amount of acid in your stomach, which can make the following medical conditions better:

• Ulcer disease of the stomach, or the part it empties into, the duodenum.
• Problems caused by acid in the gullet (oesophagitis).
• Other problems like these which can cause pain or discomfort sometimes known as "indigestion", "dyspepsia" or "heartburn".
• Some medicines for arthritis can cause ulcers as a side effect - if you are on this sort of treatment your doctor may have prescribed Zantac Tablets to try to keep you free of ulcers. If you are not sure why you are taking these tablets ask your doctor.

• Before you take your tablets

If you have been told you are allergic to Zantac or ranitidine,

or

If you think you may be pregnant,

or

If you are breast-feeding,

or

If you have been told you have the rare condition called porphyria.

Does the doctor who prescribed them know this?

If not, tell your doctor before taking any tablets.

Even so your doctor may still want you to take them.

• Taking the tablets

Look at the label - it should say who should take them, how many and when.

If it does not, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. The usual dose is one tablet in the morning and one in the evening.

Swallow each tablet whole with a drink of water.

• After starting your tablets

After a few days you should feel much better but do not stop taking the tablets or the pain and discomfort may return. Most people taking this medicine find it causes no problems. As with most medicines, a few people may find they have side effects from it.

• Where to keep your tablets

Keep Zantac Tablets away from heat which could spoil them. As with all medicines, keep these tablets safely away from children. A child may be harmed by medicine prescribed for someone else.

More information on ZANTAC TABLETS

• What your tablets contain

Ingredients of each white, five-sided tablet include:

The active ingredient - ranitidine (as hydrochloride) 1 50mg.

Other ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate,

hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (E464), triacetin and titanium dioxide (E171).

• Side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause unwanted effects. Most people taking this medicine find it causes them no problems.

A few people can be allergic to some medicines, if any of the following side effects come on soon after taking these tablets, stop the tablets and tell your doctor immediately:

• Sudden wheeziness or tightness in the chest.
• Swelling of eyelids, face or lip; with or without a lumpy skin rash ("hives") anywhere on the body.

Also check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of these side effects are noticed:

• Skin rash (red spots)
• Jaundice (yellow colour of skin)
• Confusion

Also check with your doctor at your next visit if any of these side effects are noticed:

If you are unwell or have any unusual discomfort you do not understand tell your doctor.

• What to do if you miss a dose

If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.

• What to do if you take too many tablets

It is important to stick to the dose on the label of your medicine. Taking more than this is unlikely to be dangerous unless many tablets are taken at once.

In that case, do not delay; ask your doctor what to do or contact your nearest hospital emergency department.

• Breast feeding

Although ranitidine from Zantac tablets gets into mother’s milk, it is unlikely to cause problems, but remember to tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.

• If you don t get better

If you have taken all the tablets and you still feel unwell, or if you have not taken all the tablets but feel worse, tell your doctor.

• What to do with any unused tablets

If your doctor stops your treatment, return any unused tablets to a pharmacist for safe disposal. Do not take the tablets after the expiry date on the bottle or carton. Only keep your tablets if your doctor tells you to.

• Remember

This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. There may be reasons why it could harm that person.

• Further information

This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If, after reading this information, you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist who has the information you need and will advise you.

Pharmaceutical Companies are not allowed to answer questions from patients about their diseases. You may well be able to find out more about prescribed medicines from books in public libraries.

Product licence held by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Stockley Park, England

Manufactured by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Speke, Liverpool, England

Leaflet written March 1993