Gavilast® (Arrow® / Ranitidine) - 150mg (250 Tablets)

How does Arrow® / Ranitidine work?

Gavilast tablets contain the active ingredient ranitidine, which is a type of medicine called an H2 receptor antagonist. Ranitidine acts in the stomach to decrease the production of stomach acid.

Ranitidine works by blocking histamine H2 receptors that are found on the cells in the stomach lining. A natural body chemical called histamine normally binds to these receptors, causing the cells to produce stomach acid. By blocking the H2 receptors, ranitidine prevents histamine from binding to them. This stops the cells from producing stomach acid.

Stomach acid is produced as a normal part of the digestive process. If large amounts of stomach acid are produced this can cause the pain and discomfort in the abdomen commonly known as indigestion. The excess acid may also flow back into the food pipe (oesophagus) causing pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn.

By reducing the production of stomach acid, ranitidine helps relieve the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.

One Gavilast tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water as soon as you have symptoms. If symptoms persist for more than one hour or return, take another tablet. Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours.

Arrow® / Ranitidine used for?

• Excess acid in the stomach (hyperacidity)
  
• Heartburn
  
• Indigestion.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. These are all either rare or very rare. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Allergic reaction
  
• Skin rash
  
• Alteration in results of liver function tests
  
• Diarrhoea
  
• Headache
  
• Dizziness
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
  
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  
• Impotence
  
• Hair loss (alopecia)
  
• Pain in the muscles and joints
  
• Confusion
  
• Depression
• False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations)
  
• Decrease in the normal number of blood cells in the blood