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What is the most important information I should know about nizatidine?

Do not stop taking nizatidine without first talking to your doctor. It may take up to 8 weeks for an ulcer to heal.

Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking nizatidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of nizatidine.

Warning

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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What is nizatidine?

Nizatidine is in a class of drugs called histamine receptor antagonists. Nizatidine works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Nizatidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines. Nizatidine is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid and conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Nizatidine may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease; or
  • liver disease;
  • trouble or pain swallowing food;
  • vomiting with blood; or
  • bloody or black stools.

You may not be able to take nizatidine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Nizatidine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether nizatidine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Nizatidine passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking nizatidine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a nizatidine overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased saliva production, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

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Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking nizatidine and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • easy or unusual bruising or bleeding;
  • bleeding gums;
  • irregular heartbeat;
  • fever and sore throat; or
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take nizatidine and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • dizziness;
  • headache; or
  • diarrhea, nausea, or constipation.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

Do not take antacids within 1 hour of taking nizatidine. Antacids may decrease the effectiveness of nizatidine.

Nizatidine may affect the actions of other medications by changing the acidity of the stomach. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines during treatment with nizatidine.

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Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04