A doctor will determine the correct Zantac® dosage that a patient needs to take as well as the length of time a patient should use this medication. When determining how much of this medication to prescribe, doctors will take into account the patient's health, the other medications a patient is taking, and the severity of the patient's condition. In pediatric patients, the age and weight of the patient is also an important consideration when determining the proper Zantac® dosage.
One of the most important factors in determining Zantac® dosage is the condition the patient is suffering from. Gastric and duodenal ulcers are usually treated with 150 milligrams of this medication, twice a day, until the condition has resolved, at which point patients will usually take 150 milligrams once a day to manage the disorders. Conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid or those that allow acid to climb into the esophagus are usually treated with two 150 milligram doses of Zantac® indefinitely. Patients with erosive esophagitis are often given four 150 milligram doses each day until the condition has improved, when they decrease their Zantac® dosage to 150 milligrams twice a day.
Patients who suffer from intermittent acid reflux can also take Zantac®. The proper Zantac® dosage for this condition is usually 25 milligrams. Patients will generally take this type of drug a half hour to an hour before eating foods that cause the acid reflux.
A number of medications that may cause doctors to adjust a patient's Zantac® dosage. Triazolam, in particular, can be dangerous for a patient to take at the same time as Zantac®. Patients on this medication may need to take less Zantac® than others.
The health of a patient will also affect the proper Zantac® dosage. Patients with a severe impairment in kidney function are generally only given 150 milligrams of this medication in a 24 hour period. They may also require additional monitoring to make sure that the drug does not build up in the bloodstream.
Pediatric patients require different doses of Zantac® than adult patients. This medication is considered to be safe for infants as young as one month old. In most cases, pediatric patients will take a Zantac® dosage that is calculated based on the child's weight. In most cases, a dosage of between 2 and 4 milligrams per kilogram is given once or twice a day, depending on the condition.