Side Effects:

Common Fatigue, Drowsiness, Headache, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Muscle pain.

Expert advice for Gertac Injection
Gertac is a well tolerated and safe medicine with a very low incidence of side effects. Take Gertac before going to bed if you are taking this medicine once a day as it is very effective in controlling stomach acid released in the midnight. If you are also taking an antacid, take it two hours before or after taking Gertac. Avoid taking soft drinks, citrus fruits like orange and lemon, which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion. Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking Gertac for two weeks or 14 days as you may be suffering from some other problems. Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease. Dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Gertac an over the counter (OTC) drug?
No, Gertac is not an over-the-counter product. It is a prescription medicine and is available only when prescribed by a physician.

Q. Can I take Gertac with azithromycin?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with azithromycin. Gertac may be given to lower the acid secretion caused by gastritis or stomach irritation caused by azithromycin. No drug-drug interactions or any additional harmful effects have been seen when they are used together compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Can the use of Gertac cause constipation?
Yes, the use of Gertac can cause constipation. It is one of the common side effect seen with Gertac. Taking high fiber diet and plenty of fluids can help in relieving constipation and can also help in decreasing acidity.

Q. Can I take Gertac with prednisone?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with prednisone. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile have been when these are used together compared to when each drug is used alone.

Q. Can I take Gertac with metoprolol?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with metoprolol. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile have been reported compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Is Gertac an antacid?
No, Gertac is not an antacid. It belongs to the class of H2 blockers (antihistamines) which decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach while antacids only neutralize the stomach acid by coating the stomach.

Q. Can I take Gertac for the treatment of allergies or hives (urticaria)?
Gertac can help in decreasing the redness of the allergies or hives (urticaria) when used along with antihistaminics like cetirizine by narrowing the blood vessels. However, this is not an approved use of Gertac and should be used only when advised by a doctor.

Q. Does Gertac expire?
Yes, Gertac does expire. Please check the expiry date written on the pack and it refers to the last day of that month. Do not use Gertac after the expiry date.

Q. Can I take Gertac with tramadol?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with the tramadol. Gertac may be given to lower the acid secretion caused by gastritis or stomach irritation caused by tramadol. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile has been reported compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Is Gertac an antihistaminic drug?
Yes, Gertac is an antihistaminic drug. It acts on histamine receptors in the stomach and blocks the action of a chemical messenger histamine (causes acid secretion in stomach) and hence decreases the acid production in the stomach.

Q. Is Gertac safe?
Yes, Gertac is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by the doctor. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience at the doses advised like nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.

Q. Can I take Gertac with doxycycline?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with doxycycline. Gertac may be given to lower the acid secretion caused by gastritis or stomach irritation caused by doxycycline. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile has been reported compared to when they are used alone.

Q. Does Gertac interfere with H. pylori test results?
A significant number of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori can have negative test results if they are using Gertac as it interferes with the urea breath test, which is done to identify H. Pylori infection.

Q. Can I take Gertac with Rabeprazole?
Yes, Gertac and Rabeprazole can be taken together. As Rabeprazole show its effect after some days, Gertac can be taken along with for immediate relief. No drug-drug interactions or change in side effect profile has been reported when they are used together compared to either drug alone.

Q. Can I take Gertac with sertraline?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with sertraline. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile has been reported compared to the effect of the individual drug when used alone.

Q. Does Gertac cause glaucoma?
Gertac itself does not cause glaucoma. However, there are some rare reports that Gertac can increase the intraocular pressure in patients who have glaucoma. Inform your doctor in case you have glaucoma or high intraocular pressure before taking this medicine.

Q. Can I take Gertac with steroids?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with steroids. No drug-drug interactions or any change in side effect profile has been reported compared to the effect of the individual drug when used alone.

Q. Can I take Gertac with famotidine?
Both Gertac and famotidine lower gastric acid secretion by blocking the H2 (histamine) receptor in the stomach. It is not advisable to take them together as they have a similar action and use and when used together, there could be an increased risk of side effects.

Q. Can Gertac be used to treat gastritis?
Yes, Gertac can be used for the short-term treatment of gastritis. It helps by decreasing the amount of acid released into the stomach and relieving stomach pain and acid reflux.

Q. Can I take Gertac with vitamin B?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with vitamin B. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between this medicine and vitamin B.

Q. Can a patient of hepatitis B take Gertac?
Caution should be exercised when Gertac is given to patients with a liver disease like hepatitis B as it is metabolized in the liver. Gertac can be taken by a patient of hepatitis B if it is really essential and advised by a doctor. Very rare reports of hepatitis with or without jaundice have been documented in patients taking Gertac.

Q. Why Gertac is given along with vitamin B12?
Long term use of Gertac can cause vitamin B12 deficiency as it decreases the acid secretion in the stomach which is required for the absorption of Vitamin B12. To prevent this deficiency, vitamin B12 may be advised by your doctor along with this medicine.

Q. Can I take Gertac with vitamin C?
Yes, you can take Gertac with vitamin C. No drug-drug interactions or change in side effect profile has been reported when they are used together compared to either drug alone.

Q. Can a patient with hepatitis C take Gertac?
Yes, a patient of hepatitis C can take Gertac, however, this should be taken under medical supervision. Gertac belongs to the group of drugs called H2 blockers which have been seen to increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy in hepatitis C patients. So, this group of medicines should be used with caution in patients with underlying liver disease.

Q. Can Gertac be used with vitamin D?
Yes, vitamin D can be taken with Gertac. It is generally advised to be taken as a supplement as the long-term use of Gertac decreases the absorption of calcium and cause calcium deficiency leading to osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and increasing the risk of bone fractures like hip, wrist and spine fractures.

Q. Can the use of Gertac cause gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach)?
No, the use of Gertac is not known to cause gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach), however in case you experience signs and symptoms of gastroparesis like persistent nausea, vomiting (especially of undigested food) and abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness after eating even small amount of food, consult your doctor as it may be due to some condition that needs attention.

Q. Can the use of Gertac make you feel high?
No, Gertac does not make you feel high. However, use of Gertac can cause mental confusion, irritability, depression, though very rarely. These undesirable side effects occur usually in elderly or severely ill or kidney disease patients.

Q. Can the use of Gertac cause high blood pressure?
Gertac is not reported to cause high blood pressure. In case you experience high blood pressure,inform your doctor as it may need attention. Common side effects seen with Gertac include nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

Q. Can I use Gertac for treating warts?
No, Gertac is not used for treating warts as it is not approved for this disease condition. However, some research studies have shown that Gertac can improve the effect of medicines used for the treatment of this condition. Warts are a viral condition in which the patient has small, rough, and hard growths like raised bumps on the skin. Avoid self-medication and talk to a doctor for the right treatment of warts as it may bleed or get infected or spread to other body parts if not treated properly.

Q. Can I use Gertac for stomach pain?
Stomach pain can be due to many reasons and Gertac can help in this condition if the stomach pain is due to an underlying acid-peptic disorder.

Q. Can the use of Gertac cause headache?
Headache is reported as one of the common side effects of Gertac. Inform your doctor in case you experience headache for a prolonged duration while taking Gertac.

Q. Why does Gertac cause pneumonia?
Patients using Gertac are two times more prone to develop pneumonia (infection of the lung) than the normal patients. Gertac by means of its acid suppressing ability may allow growth of bacteria in the gut which can move to the respiratory tract (lungs) following breathing. So inform your doctor if you have or a history of lung disease as your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Q. What is the role of Gertac in critically ill patients?
Gertac may be used in critically ill patients to decrease stomach acid secretion and lower the risk of acid aspiration into the lungs. It also helps in decreasing stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding in these patients.

Q. What foods should be avoided when you are taking Gertac?
You should preferably avoid foods that cause acidity and heartburn as they would aggravate your disease condition, for example: fried foods, prepared in butter or oil, fat rich foods, tomato-based foods and juices, caffeinated drinks like cola, tea, drinks from citrus fruits like lemon water or orange juice and alcohol-containing drinks.

Q. Can Gertac be used for reflux esophagitis?
Yes, Gertac is effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis. It is a disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates and inflames the lining of the food pipe. Gertac decreases the production of acid in the stomach and this can help to heal the inflamed and eroded esophagus. The efficacy is better when it is given in combination with a prokinetic agent like domperidone.

Q. Can I take Gertac with paracetamol?
Yes, you can take Gertac with paracetamol. Gertac is used to prevent paracetamol (painkillers) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no clinically significant drug-drug interactions or harmful effects seen when they are used together.

Q. Why is Gertac given with cancer drugs?
Gertac may be used for multiple reasons in cancer patients. It can lower stomach acid volume in patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent aspiration and lower the risk of stomach ulceration and bleeding. According to some studies, Gertac can potentiate white blood cell against cancer cells and can be helpful in the treatment of cancer.

Q. Does Gertac treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Gertac is not routinely used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is given if there is associated dyspepsia or increased stomach acid secretion. IBS is managed with a combination of antispasmodics (to relieve stomach pain), laxatives (to relieve constipation), and anti motility drugs (to relieve diarrhea).

Q. Is Gertac used to treat nausea?
Gertac is used for the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers and can help in providing relief in nausea that may happen due to acid reflux. It is not used to treat nausea due to any other cause. Rather, nausea is one of the most common side effects of Gertac.

Q. What is the benefit of taking Gertac with pantoprazole?
Both Gertac and pantoprazole lower gastric acid secretion, however, they work by different mechanisms. If you have been advised to take pantoprazole, you can also take Gertac initially for rapid relief of heartburn and acid reflux as pantoprazole may take a few days to show its effect and provide relief.

Q. Can I take Gertac with pain killers?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with painkillers. Gertac can help to prevent painkillers induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. Moreover, there are no clinically significant interactions of Gertac with painkillers.

Q. What are the serious side effects associated with the use of Gertac?
Some serious side effects associated with the use of Gertac are bone marrow hypoplasia (decreased formation of blood cell components), anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reactions) sinus bradycardia (lowering of heart rate) and acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

Q. Why does Gertac cause diarrhea?
Use of Gertac lowers the natural stomach acid which normally helps to kill bacteria. So, use of Gertac leads to overgrowth of the harmful bacteria like clostridium difficile which can cause diarrhea. This is known as clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Inform your doctor if you have loose stools many times in a day and for many days with stomach cramps and fever.

Q. Is Gertac effective?
Gertac would be effective only if used for the right indication in the dose and for the duration as advised by the doctor. In case you do not find any change in your disease condition while taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.

Q. Is Gertac useful in the prevention of painkiller (NSAID) induced gastric ulcers?
Yes, Gertac is useful for the prevention of painkiller (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - NSAID) induced gastric ulcers. These may cause dull pain in the stomach, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or bloating. Avoid stress and spicy foods as they can make your symptoms worse.

Q. Can I smoke while taking Gertac?
It is better to avoid cigarette smoking when you are taking Gertac. As studies have shown that the effectiveness of Gertac is lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. Moreover, smoking may add to gastric problems leading to more production of gastric acid.

Q. Does Gertac increase uric acid levels and cause gout-like symptoms?
Gertac can increase blood uric acid levels and cause gout-like symptoms like pain, redness, and inflammation of joints and cause difficulty in movement of joints. Regular monitoring of uric acid levels may be advised if you are taking this medicine for a long term.

Q. Can I take Gertac with warfarin?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with warfarin. However, they should be used with caution as there could be an increase in warfarin levels which can increase the risk of bleeding from your gums, nose, skin (unusual bruising), or gut (dark stools). Stop taking the medicine and inform your doctor if you have any of these signs or symptoms.

Q. Can I take Gertac with gabapentin?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with gabapentin. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Gertac with cetirizine?
Yes, Gertac can be taken with cetirizine. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Is Gertac a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?
No, Gertac is not a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) as it has no known inhibitory effect on proton pumps in the stomach.

Q. Can the use of Gertac cause iron deficiency?
Yes, use of Gertac can cause iron deficiency and a decrease in hemoglobin levels as it decreases the acidic environment of the stomach needed for the absorption of iron. However, there are no recommendations on the regular monitoring of iron levels or taking iron supplements when the patient is taking Gertac but you can maintain good dietary nutrition so that no deficiency occurs.

Q. Is there any known role of Gertac before surgery?
Gertac is given as a part of pre-anesthetic medication before surgery to decrease the stomach acid secretion so that stomach acid is not aspirated into the lungs during surgery as this may complicate or delay the procedure.

Q. Does Gertac cause flatulence (gas or bloating)?
Flatulence (gas) has been reported as a common side effect of Gertac. Although it would be mild to moderate in nature and it goes away once you stop taking Gertac.