RANITIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION

Who is Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection for ?

Your doctor has ordered Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection to decrease the acid produced by your stomach. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection may be added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein for 15 to 20 minutes, 1 to 4 times a day. It also may be added to your total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection decreases acid in your stomach to help treat an ulcer or prevent one from developing. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection helps to decrease the stomach pain, diarrhea, and loss of appetite that ulcers can cause. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how you respond to Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection.

How does Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection work?

Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection is a histamine-2 receptor blocker, or H2-blocker. It works in the stomach on a pump that releases hydrochloric acid when stimulated by histamine. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection prevents histamine from stimulating this pump, thereby reducing the amount of acid that is released into the stomach.

When should I be careful taking Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection ?

Before administering Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol); anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin); propantheline; and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or acute porphyria.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection, call your doctor.

Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection Side Effects

Although side effects from Ranitidine Hydrochloride Injection are not common, they can occur. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• constipation
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• upset stomach