nizatidine, Axid, Axid AR: Drug Facts, Side Effects and Dosing (original) (raw)

• What is nizatidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
• What are the uses for nizatidine?
• What are the side effects of nizatidine?
• What is the dosage for nizatidine?
• Which drugs or supplements interact with nizatidine?
• Is nizatidine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
• What else should I know about nizatidine?

What is nizatidine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

Nizatidine is an oral drug that blocks the action of histamine on stomach cells and reduces their production of acid. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 blockers that also includes cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid). Histamine is a naturally-occurring chemical that stimulates stomach cells to produce acid. H2-blockers inhibit the action of histamine on stomach cells, thus reducing the production of acid by the stomach. Since excessive stomach acid can cause or worsen stomach and duodenal ulcers, reducing stomach acid prevents ulcer formation and helps ulcers to heal. The FDA approved nizatidine in April 1988.

What brand names are available for nizatidine?

Axid, Axid AR

Is nizatidine available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for nizatidine?

Yes, 150 mg, 300 mg and solution: no, 75 mg

What are the uses for nizatidine?

Nizatidine is used for the treatment and prevention of duodenal and gastric ulcers (peptic, stomach), GERD, and heartburn.

What are the side effects of nizatidine?

Common side effects are:

• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• insomnia,
• muscle pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• confusion,
• depression, and
• agitation.

Serious but rare side effects include anemia, and a reduction in white blood cells or platelets. Hepatitis also has been reported.

What is the dosage for nizatidine?

• Treatment of ulcers: The usual adult dose for treatment of ulcers (duodenal or gastric) is 300 mg daily administered once at bedtime or 150 mg twice daily. Most duodenal ulcers heal after 4 weeks of treatment.
• Preventing ulcer recurrence and GERD: A dose of 150 mg at bedtime is used for preventing ulcer recurrence, and GERD is treated with 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg once daily.
• Heartburn prevention: The recommended dose for prevention of heartburn is 75 mg administered 30-60 minutes before meals or beverages.

QUESTION GERD is the back up of stomach acid into the esophagus. See Answer

Which drugs or supplements interact with nizatidine?

Nizatidine, like other drugs that reduce stomach acid, may interfere with the absorption of drugs that require acid for adequate absorption. Examples include iron salts (for example iron sulphate), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), atazanavir (Reyataz), dasatinib (Sprycel), indinavir (Crixivan), and dapsone. Conversely, it may increase levels of nimodipine (Nimotop) and nisoldipine (Sular) due to reduced stomach acidity.

Is nizatidine safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Available evidence suggests that there is little risk when used during pregnancy.

Nizatidine is secreted into human breast milk and may pose a potential risk to the infant.

What else should I know about nizatidine?

What preparations of nizatidine are available?

• Prescription tablets: 75 mg;
• Prescription capsule: 150 and 300 mg;
• Prescription solution: 15 mg/ml.
• Nonprescription tablets; 75 mg.

How should I keep nizatidine stored?

Nizatidine should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F) in a tightly closed container.

Health News

Summary

Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR) is a drug prescribed for the treatment and prevention of duodenal and gastric ulcers (peptic, stomach), GERD, and heartburn. Review side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy safety information prior to taking any medication.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

• GERD Quiz: Test Your Digestive Diseases IQ Who is at risk for developing GERD? Are you? Take this quiz to learn what GERD is, if you're at risk, and what you can do about...
• Picture of Peptic Ulcer A hole in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. See a picture of Peptic Ulcer and learn more about the health topic.
• Picture of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) The stomach contents regurgitate and back up (reflux) into the esophagus The food in the stomach is partially digested by...
• Picture of Esophagus The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx) with the stomach. See a picture of the Esophagus and learn more...

Related Disease Conditions

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also called acid reflux, can cause symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and nausea. Learn about causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
• Peptic Ulcer Peptic or stomach ulcers are ulcers in the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. Learn about symptoms, causes, diet, and treatment.
• Hiatal Hernia Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a thin membrane of tissue connects the esophagus with the diaphragm becoming weak, and a portion of the stomach slides up into the esophagus. Causes include obesity, pregnancy, straining during a bowel movement, aging, and ascites. There are generally no symptoms of a hiatal hernia, and it is discovered during another medical procedure to test for GERD or other swallowing problems.
• Heartburn Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing, the feeling of food sticking in the throat, and a burning feeling in the chest. Causes of heartburn include dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and medical causes. Treatments for heartburn include lifestyle changes, OTC medication, prescription medication, and surgery.
• Barrett's Esophagus Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube) and is classically associated with heartburn. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments for Barrett's esophagus.
• Reflux Laryngitis Reflux laryngitis is caused by acid refluxing back up through the esophagus and voice box. Reflux laryngitis causes irritation and inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat; and can lead to symptoms, signs, and other problems like esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and growths on the vocal cords. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with diet changes, OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Ulcers Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed medications for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and more. One common side effect of NSAIDs is peptic ulcer (ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking NSAIDs.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Medications & Supplements

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

FDA Prescribing Information