Nizatidine

Uses

What is Nizatidine used for?

Nizatidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and prevent them from coming back after they have healed. This medication is also used to treat certain stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (such as erosive esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease-GERD). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as cough that doesn’t go away, stomach pain, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing. Nizatidine belongs to a class of drugs known as H2 blockers.

How should I take Nizatidine?

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a day. If you are taking this medication once daily, it is usually taken right before bedtime. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

How do I store Nizatidine?

Nizatidine is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Nizatidine in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Nizatidine that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Nizatidine down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Nizatidine?

Before taking nizatidine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other H2 blockers (cimetidine, famotidine, ranitidine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: immune system problems, kidney problems, liver problems, certain lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), other stomach problems (such as tumors).

Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have: heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, unusual sweating), unexplained weight loss.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breast-feeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using this Nizatidine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Nizatidine. Nizatidine is pregnancy risk category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk,
• B=No risk in some studies,
• C=There may be some risk,
• D=Positive evidence of risk,
• X=Contraindicated,
• N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Nizatidine?

Headache or diarrhea may occur. If either of these effects persists or worsens, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, confusion, breast swelling/soreness in males, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn’t go away, fever, chills), fast/pounding heartbeat, unusual tiredness.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Nizatidine?

Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly. Nizatidine decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir, dasatinib, delavirdine, certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), pazopanib, among others.

Do not take this medication with other products that contain nizatidine or other H2 blockers (cimetidine, famotidine, ranitidine).

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain urine protein tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Nizatidine may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Does food or alcohol interact with Nizatidine?

Nizatidine may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Nizatidine?

Nizatidine may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this Nizatidine.

What is the dose of Nizatidine for an adult?

Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer

Initial: 300 mg orally once a day at bedtime, or alternatively may use 150 mg orally twice a day.

Maintenance: 150 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis

150 mg orally once a day at bedtime.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer

300 mg orally once a day at bedtime, or alternatively may use 150 mg orally twice a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis

150 mg twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

150 mg twice daily.

Usual Adult Dose for Dyspepsia

75 mg orally once or twice a day, taken right before or up to 60 minutes before eating.

Renal Dose Adjustments

CrCl less than 20 mL/min: Initial dose: 150 mg orally every other day.

Maintenance dose: 150 mg orally every 3 days.

CrCl 20 to 50 mL/min: Initial dose: 150 mg orally once a day.

Maintenance dose: 150 mg orally every other day.

Dose Adjustments

In the geriatric population dosage adjustments may be warranted since it is more likely for elderly patients to have decreased renal function.

Precautions

Any gastric malignancies must be ruled out before the start of nizatidine treatment, since symptom relief may delay proper and timely diagnosis.

Nizatidine may cause a false positive result for urobilinogen with Multistix.

Clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Nizatidine is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be exercised in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Dialysis

Hemodialysis: The ability of hemodialysis to remove nizatidine from the body has not been conclusively shown; however, due to its large volume of distribution, nizatidine is not expected to be efficiently removed from the body.

Other Comments

The duration of nizatidine therapy should generally not exceed 12 weeks.

What is the dose of Nizatidine for a child?

Usual Pediatric Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Investigational:

Greater than 1 year (n=26): In mild to moderate reflux esophagitis: 10 mg/kg/day divided in two doses for 8 weeks.

Greater than or equal to 4 to 11 years (n=104): 6 mg/kg/day divided in two doses, one dose given at 9 PM the night before surgery, and the other given at 6:30 AM the day of surgery.

Precautions

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients have not been determined.

How is Nizatidine available?

Nizatidine is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Oral capsule,
• Oral tablet,
• Oral solution.

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Nizatidine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.