Ranitidine competitively blocks histamine at H2-receptors of the gastric parietal cells which inhibits gastric acid secretion. It does not affect pepsin secretion, pentagastrin-stimulated intrinsic factor secretion or serum gastrin.

Ranitidine is indicated in:

• Treatment of active duodenal ulcer
• Benign gastric ulcer
• Treatment & prevention of ulcer associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent
• Post operative stress ulcer.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Gastro-intestinal haemorrhage from stress ulcer in seriously ill patient.
• Recurrent haemorrhage in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer.
• Before general anesthesia in patient considered to be at risk of acid aspiration particulary obstetric patients.

Ranitidine Tablet & Syrup:

Duodenal and gastric ulcer: The usual dosage is 150 mg twice daily taken in the morning and evening or 300 mg as a single daily dose at night for 4 to 8 weeks.

Reflux oesophagitis: 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg at bed time for up to 8 weeks.

Zollinger Ellison syndrome: 150 mg 3 times daily and increased if necessary up to 6 g daily in divided doses. Dosage should be continued as long as clinically indicated.

Episodic dyspepsia: 150 mg twice daily or 300 mg at bed time for up to 6 weeks.

Maintenance: 150 mg at night for preventing recurrences.

Child (peptic ulcer): 2-4 mg/kg twice daily, maximum 300 mg daily.

Ranitidine IV injection & IV Infusion:

Ranitidine injection may be given either as a slow (over a period of at least two minutes) intravenous injection of 50 mg, after dilution to a volume of 20 ml per 50 mg dose, which may be repeated every six to eight hours; or as an intermittent intravenous infusion at a rate of 25 mg per hour for two hours; the infusion may be repeated at six to eight hour intervals; or as an intramuscular injection of 50 mg (2 ml) every six to eight hours. In the prophylaxis of haemorrhage from stress ulceration in seriously ill patients or the prophylaxis of recurrent haemorrhage in patients bleeding from peptic ulceration, parenteral administration may be continued until oral feeding commences.

In the prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage from stress ulceration in seriously ill patient sapriming dose of 50 mg as low as intravenous injection followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.125-0.250 mg/kg/hour may be preferred. In patients considered to be at risk of developing aspiration syndrome Ranitidine injection 50 mg may be given intramuscularly or by slow intravenous injection 45 to 60 minutes before induction of general anaesthesia.

Children: The recommended oral dose for the treatment of peptic ulcer in children is 2 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg twice daily to a maximum of 300 mg ranitidine per day. Safety and effectiveness of Ranitidine injection have not been established in case of children.

Patients hypersensitive to Ranitidine

Ranitidine is well tolerated and side effects are usually uncommon. Altered bowel habit, dizziness, rash, tiredness, reversible confusional states, headache, decreased blood counts, muscle or joint pain have rarely been reported.

Overdose Effects

Ranitidine is very specific in action and accordingly no particular problems are expected following overdosage with the drug. Symptomatic and supportive therapy should be given as appropriate. If required, the drug may be removed from the plasma by haemodiaiysis.

Ranitidine should be given in reduced dosage to patients with impaired renal and hepatic function.

Use in Special Populations

Use in elderly patients: In clinical trial the ulcer healing rates have been found similar in patients age 65 and over with those in younger patients. Additionally, there was no difference in the incidence of adverse effects.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: Ranitidine crosses the placenta. But there is no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the foetus due to Ranitidine. Like other drugs, Ranitidine should only be used during pregnancy if considered essential.

Lactation: Ranitidine is excreted in human breast milk. Caution should be exercised when the drug is administered to a nursing mother.