Drugs >  Nizatidine
Nizatidine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(ni ZA ti deen)

Brand Names
Axid®; Axid® AR [OTC]

Therapeutic Categories
Histamine H2 Antagonist

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to another H2 antagonist, nizatidine, or any other part of the medicine.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (active treatment and prevention), and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
  • The over-the-counter tablet is used for the prevention of meal-induced heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.


How does it work?

  • Nizatidine inhibits stomach acid secretion allowing healing to occur in the area of ulceration or damage by the acid.


How is it best taken?

  • Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
  • Take at bedtime if you are taking this medicine once a day.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • The over-the-counter tablet can be taken on an as needed basis.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and anxiety.
  • Avoid or limit smoking.
  • Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E if you have an ulcer. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Do not use over-the-counter medicines for 2 weeks straight unless under the care of a healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
  • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Diarrhea.


What should I monitor?

  • Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the same?


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Keep away from moisture.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


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