Axid Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Axid Capsule contains nizatidine, a histamine-2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes. It is used to relieve acid reflux and heartburn, and to treat and help prevent duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers, and esophagitis. It belongs to the H2 antagonist drug class.

What is Axid Capsule

Axid is a medicine that contains nizatidine, a histamine-2 blocker. It is used to reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes, which helps with heartburn and ulcers.

Axid Capsule uses

• Relieves acid reflux and heartburn (GERD)
• Treats active duodenal ulcers and helps prevent them from coming back
• Treats active benign gastric (stomach) ulcers
• Treats esophagitis (including erosive and ulcerative forms) and heartburn caused by GERD
• Non-prescription Axid AR form is used to relieve or prevent heartburn

Benefits of Axid Capsule

• Provides effective stomach-acid suppression
• Can provide overnight acid control
• Available in once- or twice-daily adult regimens depending on the condition
• Helps promote healing of acid-related ulcers

How Axid Capsule works

Nizatidine blocks histamine at receptors in the stomach lining, which lowers the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Axid Capsule dosage

Use exactly as directed on the label; do not use more or less than recommended or for longer than recommended. For heartburn relief, swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. To help prevent heartburn, take it right before eating or up to 60 minutes before eating or drinking something that may trigger heartburn. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose - do not double up. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without a doctor's advice. Call your doctor if heartburn does not improve after 14 days of treatment, or if it gets worse.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (Axid AR)
• Capsule (Pulvules)

Side effects of Axid Capsule

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Worsening heartburn
• Chest pain
• Pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Rapid heart rate
• Unusual bleeding
• Fever
• Confusion
• Breast swelling and soreness (in males)
• Severe headache, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors
• Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, sudden dizziness or passing out
• Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to nizatidine or similar stomach medicines such as ranitidine, cimetidine, or famotidine.
• Heartburn can sometimes be confused with the first signs of a heart attack. Get emergency help if you have chest pain or heaviness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, or a general ill feeling.
• Check with a doctor before using this medicine if you have pain when swallowing, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, heartburn lasting more than 3 months, heartburn with wheezing or feeling faint, unusual weight loss, stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, or frequent chest pain.
• Relief of symptoms does not rule out the presence of a stomach tumor.
• Pregnancy: It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use it without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: The medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while taking it is not recommended.
• Kidney: Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease, since the dose may need to be reduced because the kidneys clear this drug from the body.
• Liver: Ask a doctor before use if you have liver disease.
• Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can make heartburn symptoms worse.
• Driving: This medicine can cause side effects that affect your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) in a tightly closed container

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if your heartburn gets worse, you have chest pain, pale skin, feel light-headed or short of breath, or notice yellowing of your skin or eyes.
• If you think you have taken too much, seek emergency medical help or contact your local poison control center right away.
• Get medical help immediately for serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights; serious heart symptoms like a fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in the chest, or sudden dizziness or passing out; or severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, weakness, trouble walking, very stiff muscles, high fever, heavy sweating, or tremors.
• Call your doctor if heartburn does not improve after 14 days of treatment, or if it gets worse.

Alternatives

• Famotidine
• Pepcid
• Cimetidine
• Omeprazole