ZANTAC(R)

Consumer Medicine Information

About your Zantac Tablets

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you take your medicine.

This leaflet does not have the complete information available about your medicine. If you have any questions about your medicine, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist (also known as chemist).

All medicines have some risks. Sometimes new risks are found even when a medicine has been used for many years.

If there is anything you do not understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you want more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the name of my medicine?

The name of your medicine is Zantac.

What is in my Zantac?

The medicine in your Zantac tablets is called ranitidine (as hydrochloride). This belongs to a group of medicines called H2-antagonists.

Each tablet contains either 150 or 300 milligrams of ranitidine. Your tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients:

Cellulose (460), magnesium stearate (572), titanium dioxide (171), hypromellose (464) and triacetin. The 300 mg tablets also contain croscarmellose sodium.

Each Zantac 300 mg tablet contains 0.8 mg of sodium.

Zantac tablets are free from gluten and lactose.

Pack sizes available: 150 mg – 60 tablets; 300 mg – 30 tablets.

What does my Zantac do?

Zantac is mostly used to:

treat stomach and duodenal ulcer disease (also known as peptic ulcer),

stop these ulcers from coming back,

treat reflux oesophagitis (also known as reflux).

These problems are caused, in part, by too much acid in the stomach. This can lead to pain such as heartburn. Zantac works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. This reduces the pain and also allows the ulcer and reflux to heal.

Zantac is also used to treat:

Zollinger-Ellison disease,

scleroderma oesophagitis.

Is there anything I should tell my doctor before starting my Zantac?

Tell your doctor:

the names of all medicines you are already taking including those you have bought from a supermarket or a pharmacy,

if you have had to stop taking this or any other medicine for your ulcer or reflux,

if you have kidney disease,

if you are allergic to any medicine,

if you have a disease known as acute porphyria.

What if I am pregnant or breast feeding?

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, likely to get pregnant or are breast feeding. Your doctor will tell you if you should take this medicine.

How do I take my Zantac?

The dosage depends on the disease that you are suffering from. Your doctor or pharmacist will usually tell you how many Zantac tablets to take and how often to take them. You will also find this information on the label of your medicine.

The normal adult dosage is 150 to 300 milligrams per day, taken as one 150 mg tablet once or twice a day, or one 300 mg tablet at bedtime. Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage.

Do not take extra tablets. Do not take the tablets more often than you have been told.

It does not matter whether you take the tablets before or after food.

Zantac tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

Your pain or other symptoms may take a few days to go away.

Take all the tablets your doctor has prescribed for you, even if you feel better.

Even when you have completed your tablets, your doctor may decide to continue your treatment with Zantac, possibly at a different dosage, in order to prevent the problem coming back again.

Use in Children:

Zantac has not been studied fully in children. However, Zantac has been used with good results in children aged 8 to 18 years in doses up to 150 mg twice daily.

What should I do if I miss my dose?

If you forget to take your Zantac, take another as soon as possible unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Are there any side-effects with my Zantac, and what should I do if I get any side-effects?

Like other medicines, Zantac may cause some side-effects. Most of the side-effects will be minor and temporary, but some may be serious. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor straight away and do not take any more Zantac if you get:

skin troubles such as rash (red spots), itching, skin lumps or hives,

swelling of the eyelids, face or lips,

wheezing, chest pain or tightness,

severe stomach pain or a change in the type of pain,

yellow colouring of the skin or eyes (jaundice),

confusion,

general illness associated with weight loss,

fever.

If you get any of the following side-effects after taking Zantac tell your doctor, but there is no immediate reason to stop taking the tablets unless you are concerned:

headache,

joint or muscle pains,

dizziness,

depression,

constipation.

If you notice any symptoms that concern you or if the tablets cause any other side-effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have taken all the tablets and still do not feel better tell your doctor as soon as possible.

What do I do in case of an overdose?

In the event of an overdose you should contact your nearest Poisons Information Centre, doctor or hospital emergency department.

How do I store my Zantac?

Keep your Zantac tablets away from heat (store below 30 degrees C). For example, you should not leave them in the car on hot days.

Please keep your Zantac tablets in a place where children cannot reach them.

You will find an “expiry” (or use by) date printed on the manufacturer`s label of the pack. Do not use the tablets after this date. Do not use the tablets if they are discoloured.

Keep your Zantac tablets away from moisture. Leave the tablets in the pack until you are ready to use them.

Can I let someone else use my Zantac?

Never give this medicine to someone else. The medicine is only for you. It may harm other people even if they seem to have the same symptoms that you have.

Who makes my Zantac?

Your Zantac is made by:

GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd

1061 Mountain Highway

Boronia Victoria 3155

(R)Zantac is a registered trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

Do not throw this leaflet away. You may need to read it again.

Date of Preparation: 21 January 2003

Zantac Tablets 150 mg – AUST R 53324, Zantac Tablets 300 mg – AUST R 53323

Issue No. 3

Zantac Ranitidine Tablets 300mg (Pack Of 30)