Can I take ratadine every day until I see GP

[Generallyok]

I suspect I have GERD or hiatus hernia ( symptoms constant belching, tight band around throat and heart burn) so have made a GP appointment but can't get in for 3 weeks. Ratadine takes away most symptoms but pack says dont use for more 6 days. Anyone use for longer than this? Have stopped using as over 6 days but symptoms really bad even though I have cut everything out of my diet that is supposed to make it worse.Shall I go back on Zantac?

Have you tried omezoprazole? You can buy it over the counter.

*omeprazole

Ranitadine and Zantac are the same drug (like Ibuprofen and Neurofen). Zantac is a trade mark, ranitidine is the generic version. I think this is what you mean anyway :)

The reason it has the 6-day 'warning' is to prevent people using it long term ( ie years) if they have symptoms that could be something more serious (ie cancer of the stomach, oesophagus etc).

The 6-day 'rule' is nothing to do with over-dosing on it (it's a very low dose you buy OTC anyway compared to the prescribed version) but to cover the manufacturers who want people to see their GP if they have long term GI symptoms.

I took it for another condition for months and months and took 200mgs daily not the 75mgs you can buy OTC/(It was a recognised treatment.)

This is a long winded way of saying it's fine!