About nizatidine

Nizatidine belongs to a group of medicines that reduce the amount of acid produced by the cells in the lining of the stomach. They are called 'histamine H2-receptor antagonists', but are commonly also called Bloccanti H2.

Nizatidine can be helpful in the treatment of conditions caused by too much acid being produced in the stomach. These conditions include ulcere gastriche (ulcere dello stomaco), ulcers of the upper part of the intestine (ulcere duodenali), and reflusso acido o bruciore di stomaco (malattia da reflusso gastroesofageo). Nizatidine can also be prescribed to treat ulceration of the stomach which has been caused by farmaci antinfiammatori non steroidei (FANS). Although nizatidine can be helpful in the treatment of these conditions, in practice other medicines are usually tried first.

Acid is produced naturally in your stomach to help to digest food. Excessive amounts of acid can irritate the lining of your stomach, causing inflammation, ulcers and other conditions. Nizatidine works by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach. This helps to relieve symptoms and assist the healing process where damage has already occurred.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start taking nizatidine it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• Se hai uno dei seguenti sintomi: difficoltà a deglutire, perdita di sangue, perdita di peso, o se stai vomitando.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato o con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about nizatidine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take nizatidine exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are two different strengths of capsule available - 150 mg and 300 mg. You may be prescribed nizatidine to take twice a day, in the morning and evening, or just once a day in the evening. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you and the directions will be on the label of the pack to remind you about what was said to you.

• You can take nizatidine before or after meals.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, you can take it when you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• A course of treatment can vary in length depending upon the reason why you are taking nizatidine. You could be asked to take it for a week or two, or for several months. Keep any appointments that you have booked with your doctor so that your progress can be checked.

• Some people say that certain foods make their symptoms worse. Foods and drinks that have been suspected of this include peppermint, tomatoes, chocolate, spicy foods, hot drinks, coffee, and alcoholic drinks. If it seems that a food is aggravating your symptoms, try avoiding it for a while to see if your symptoms improve. Also, try avoiding eating large meals, as these can make your symptoms worse too.

• Se sei in sovrappeso, questo mette ulteriore pressione sullo stomaco e favorisce i sintomi del reflusso acido. Perdere un po' di peso e seguire una dieta sana ed equilibrata potrebbe aiutarti.

• Fumare aumenta la quantità di acido prodotto dallo stomaco e può peggiorare i tuoi sintomi. Se sei un fumatore, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista su come smettere.

• Se acquisti farmaci 'da banco', verifica sempre con un farmacista che siano sicuri da assumere insieme agli altri tuoi farmaci.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with nizatidine, although these are generally mild and do not last long. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to nizatidine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.