Zantac: How to Determine If You Need Prescription or Over the Counter

Zantac is the brand name under which GlaxoSmithKline sells a medicine containing Ranitidine. Stomach cells that secrete gastric acid are called parietal cells, the gastric acid helps in the digestion process. In certain abnormal situations however gastric juices that are acidic in nature return to the esophagus causing acidity, heartburn and in some cases GERD. Zantac blocks the action of parietal cells thereby preventing acidity and the other associated symptoms. Zantac is not the only medicine comprising ranitidine sold over the counter (OTC), but it's among the most popular.

Zantac comes in different strengths in different countries. In United States 75 mg and 150 mg tablets are available over the counter, in Australia 150 mg and 300 mg tablets are available in small packages, however for a larger strength or a bigger package, and prescriptions are required.

Glaxo developed Ranitidine and Zantac when cimetidine, manufactured by their French counterpart was popularly used to achieve the same result. By bringing about some changes in the structure of cimetidine they came up with Ranitidine. Beginning in 1988, Zantac's popularity kept on increasing. In fact according to PSL Group in the following 5 years Zantac succeeded in becoming the most popular H2 antagonist drug from any manufacturer in the USA.

There are many reasons for this tremendous popularity of Zantac, it's a hit with patients as it relieves the symptoms rather easily and in a short time, as Zantac has never had any serious drug interaction warnings it's easy to recommend by physicians, GlaxoSmithKline has a good marketing strategy and a robust infrastructure, therefore Zantac is an attractive drug to dealers and distributors too.