From the Guidelines
Nizatidine should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, typically 10 mg/kg/d, divided in 2 doses, for individuals aged 12 years and older, as indicated by the Food and Drug Administration 1. The medication comes in a bubble gum–flavored solution, which should be measured carefully with the provided device. It is essential to maintain a consistent dosing schedule for maximum effectiveness in treating conditions like GERD, peptic ulcers, or heartburn.
- Nizatidine works by reducing stomach acid production by blocking histamine H2 receptors on stomach cells, providing relief within a certain timeframe and lasting for several hours.
- While taking nizatidine, it is recommended to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and foods that trigger symptoms.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered, unless it's almost time for the next dose.
- Patients should contact their doctor if they experience side effects like headache, dizziness, or diarrhea, or if symptoms don't improve after a certain period. It is crucial to follow the prescribed dosage and administration guidelines to minimize potential side effects and ensure the effectiveness of the medication, as supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1. Additionally, the metabolism of nizatidine is primarily non-hepatic, with only 22% undergoing hepatic metabolism, which reduces the potential for interactions with other medications 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Dosage and Administration
- Nizatidine can be taken at a dose of 150 mg or 300 mg, twice daily, for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) 2, 3.
- For the relief of episodic heartburn, nizatidine can be taken at a dose of 75 mg, up to twice a day 4.
- The medication can be taken with or without food, but it is recommended to take it at the same time every day to maintain a consistent level of the medication in the body.
Timing of Doses
- Twice-daily administration of nizatidine 150 mg or 300 mg provides prompt relief from the major symptom of GORD, heartburn, and complete healing of oesophagitis is seen in many patients 2, 3.
- Doubling the dose of nizatidine or ranitidine by dosing twice daily versus once daily is efficacious in achieving greater suppression of acid secretion 5.
Comparison with Other Medications
- Nizatidine has been compared to other H2-receptor antagonists, such as ranitidine and famotidine, in terms of its effectiveness in reducing intragastric acidity 6.
- Famotidine has been shown to be more effective than nizatidine in reducing circadian acidity, while ranitidine has been shown to be similar to nizatidine in this regard 6.