Zantac, with its active ingredient, Ranitidine (and its generic name), blocks histamine-2, known to be the culprit behind overproduction of stomach acid.
Zantac (Ranitidine) comes in small, tablets, effervescent tablets and granules, gel capsules or syrup, and is taken orally. Dosage depends on the severity of stomach acidity and the immediate need to maintain a less acidic gastrointestinal environment, such as in cases of ulcers and GERD. Zantac Ranitidine is absorbed 50% upon ingesting and it still works effectively even if it were used in conjunction with other forms of antacids.
Studies show that Zantac Ranitidine, as compared to placebo, has effectively healed sores and lesions in the stomach lining or technically known as peptic and duodenal ulcers. It reduces acid reflux for patients with GERD, whether they are upright or lying vertical. It also acts best on inhibiting production of acids caused by the following stimulants: betazole, nocturnal and basal. Although it is effective in many cases, it has been found that it has no effect on pepsin, seru gastrin and pentagastrin induced hyperacidity.
Common side effects are naseau and dizziness, which usually subsided after a few hours of taking it. A patient under a Zantac medication is not allowed to drive or operate any other machinery immediately after taking the medicine. He must fully assess first the reaction of his body from the medicine before he can do activities that require attentiveness and clear vision.