TACIDINE®
nizatidine
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about TACIDINE. It does not contain all
the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or
pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking
TACIDINE against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What TACIDINE is used for
TACIDINE contains the active ingredient nizatidine.
Nizatidine belongs to a group of medicines called histamine (H2) antagonist or histamine
(H2) blockers. These medicines work by reducing the amount of stomach acid produced
which in turn reduces the pain and allows the ulcers and/or reflux disease to heal
in most people.
Ulcers
TACIDINE is used to treat both gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. A gastric ulcer
occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum (which is part of your
small intestine). The ulcers can be caused in part by too much acid being made in
the stomach.
TACIDINE is also used to help stop duodenal ulcers from coming back.
Reflux Disease
TACIDINE is also used to treat reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease. This is caused
by "washing back" (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe (also
known as the oesophagus).
Reflux causes burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat (heartburn) and
most often occurs after eating or at night.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
TACIDINE is not recommended for use in children, as the safety and effectiveness have
not been established.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
When you must not take it
Do not take TACIDINE if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing nizatidine
any other histamine (H2) blocking medicine (e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine)
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
kidney disease
liver disease
chronic lung disease
diabetes
a weakened immune system or lowered resistance to infection, sometimes caused by certain
diseases or treatments
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
or plan to breast feed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
The active ingredient in TACIDINE passes into breast milk and there is a possibility
that your baby may be affected.
Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start
taking TACIDINE.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food
shop.
Some medicines and TACIDINE may interfere with each other. These include:
aspirin
certain antacids used to treat heartburn and indigestion such as Mylanta and Gelusil
These medicines may be affected by TACIDINE or may affect how well it works. You may
need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or
avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take TACIDINE
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
How much to take
The dose varies from person to person:
duodenal and stomach ulcers - the recommended dosage is 150 mg twice a day or 300
mg once in the evening
to stop duodenal ulcers from coming back - the usual dosage is 150 mg once daily
reflux disease - the recommended dosage is 150 mg twice daily
Elderly people and those who have kidney problems may need to take a lower dose.
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you
remember when to take it.
TACIDINE can be taken with or without food.
The 150 mg capsule is usually taken twice a day - one capsule in the morning and one
capsule in the evening before you go to bed.
The 300 mg capsule is usually taken once a day at bedtime.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
This medicine helps to control your condition but does not cure it. It is important
to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine
as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13
11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you
think that you or anyone else may have taken too much TACIDINE. Do this even if there
are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking TACIDINE.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking
this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, including dental surgery, tell the surgeon, anaesthetist
or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you are taking it for an ulcer, you should go to your doctor regularly for checkups
to make sure that TACIDINE has healed your ulcer.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Do not take TACIDINE to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as
you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
If you stop taking your medicine too soon then your condition may not have been properly
treated.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how TACIDINE affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If you have
any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could
be dangerous.
Things that would be helpful for your condition
Some self-help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor
or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.
alcohol - your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake
aspirin and other medicines used to treat arthritis/period pain/headaches - these
medicines may irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse. Your doctor
or pharmacist may suggest other medicines you can take
caffeine - your doctor may advise you to limit the number of drinks which contain
caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks, as the caffeine may irritate
your stomach
eating habits - eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully.
Try not to rush at meal times
smoking - your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are taking TACIDINE.
This medicine helps most people with ulcers or reflux disease, but it may have unwanted
side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they
are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you
get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any
of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
sweating
itchy skin rash or hives
headaches, being short of breath when exercising,
flatulence, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation
impotence
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually
mild and short-lived.
Incidences of abnormal liver function, accompanied by jaundice (yellow skin) have
been rarely reported by patients taking this medicine. This side effect has been reversed
when TACIDINE is stopped.
Prolonged use of TACIDINE may impair the absorption of Vitamin B12.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, also called jaundice
dark urine
symptoms of anaemia, which may include tiredness, dizziness and looking pale
confusion
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and
Emergency at the nearest hospital:
vomiting blood or food
passing black (blood-stained) bowel motions
symptoms of a severe allergic reaction which may include skin rash, itching or hives;
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
wheezing or shortness of breath
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention
or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Storage
Keep your capsules in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the capsules out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store TACIDINE or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not
leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, or the expiry date has passed,
ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
What it looks like
TACIDINE capsules are available in 2 strengths:
TACIDINE 150 mg strength - hard gelatin capsule where one half of the capsule is pale
yellow and has "NZ 150" printed in black. The other half of the capsule is dark yellow
and has "G" printed in black
TACIDINE 300 mg strength - hard, light brown, gelatin capsule with "NZ 300" printed
in black on one half of the capsule and "G" printed in black on the other half
Ingredients
TACIDINE contains either 150 mg or 300 mg of nizatidine as the active ingredient.
The capsule also contains:
colloidal anhydrous silica
croscarmellose sodium
pregelatinised maize starch
purified talc
sodium lauryl sufate
magnesium stearate
quinoline yellow (150 mg only)
allura red AC (150 mg only)
iron oxide red (300 mg only)
iron oxide yellow
titanium dioxide
gelatin
TekPrint SW-9008 Black Ink (ARTG PI No: 2328)
TekPrint SW-9009 Black Ink (ARTG PI No: 2343).
TACIDINE capsules contain phenylalanine.
Sponsor
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in January 2024.
Australian registration numbers:
TACIDINE 150mg - AUST R 94204
TACIDINE 300mg - AUST R 94205
TACIDINE® is a Viatris company trade mark
Tacidine_cmi\Jan24/00
