ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200060
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
Zantac, the ulcer medicine that has become the world's best-selling prescription drug, is about to go over the counter to fight heartburn.
The Food and Drug Administration approved a nonprescription version of Zantac on Tuesday. Zantac 75 tablets, half the strength of prescription Zantac, will be on pharmacy shelves early next year, manufacturer Glaxo Wellcome said.
It joins the $1 billion antacid market as the third of a unique class of medicines that block the stomach's production of irritating acid. Merck & Co.'s Pepcid and Smithkline Beecham's Tagamet already are sold over-the-counter both to treat heartburn and to prevent it from ever forming., however, is approved only to treat heartburn, not prevent it.
With sales of $3.66 billion last year, prescription Zantac is the world's top-selling medicine.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 28 linesby CNB