Ranitidine hydrochloride (
Zantac®) is a medication that is available as both a prescription medication and an over-the-counter medication. It is used to treat several conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Ranitidine is part of a class of drugs known as
H2 blockers.
Prescription Zantac is made by GlaxoSmithKline, while over-the-counter Zantac is made by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
Generic ranitidine (both prescription and over-the-counter) is made by several manufacturers.
Uses of prescription ranitidine include the treatment of:
- Duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the very first part of the intestine after the stomach) -- ranitidine can be used to treat a duodenal ulcer and also to prevent ulcers from coming back
- Gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) -- ranitidine helps to heal a stomach ulcer and to keep ulcers from returning
-
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (
GERD)
- Erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus, usually due to stomach acid) -- ranitidine can be used to heal erosive esophagitis and to prevent it from returning
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions (in which too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or systemic mastocytosis.
Over-the-counter ranitidine is approved for the following conditions:
Over-the-counter ranitidine can be used to treat these problems once they have started. Also, it can be used to prevent these problems if taken before eating or drinking foods or beverages that may cause them.
How Does Ranitidine Work?
Ranitidine works by blocking a specific kind of histamine receptor. Histamine is a chemical released by the body that has several effects. In the stomach, histamine causes more acid to be produced. By blocking histamine in the stomach, ranitidine reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. This is why ranitidine is known as an "acid reducer."
There have been several studies conducted on the effectiveness of using ranitidine to treat several different conditions, including:
Ulcers
In one study performed to assess the effectiveness of using ranitidine to treat duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers), 73 percent of people who took the medicine had healed ulcers after four weeks of treatment. Only 45 percent of people who were not taking ranitidine had their duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Another study looking at preventing duodenal ulcers from returning after healing found that 35 percent of people taking ranitidine had another duodenal ulcer within one year, compared to 59 percent of people not taking ranitidine.
In a study involving ranitidine and gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer) treatment, 68 percent of people taking ranitidine experienced healing within six weeks. Ulcers healed in 51 percent of people who were not on ranitidine. Studies have also shown that ranitidine can help prevent stomach ulcers from returning after they have healed.
GERD
Several studies have looked at using ranitidine for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These studies have shown that people taking ranitidine have greater relief of their GERD symptoms, including
heartburn symptoms, than people not taking the drug. These studies have also shown that ranitidine can provide
heartburn relief within one day of starting the medication.
Erosive Esophagitis
When ranitidine was studied for erosive esophagitis (damage to the lining of the esophagus, often due to stomach acid), healing was seen in 84 percent of people taking ranitidine, compared to 58 percent of people not taking ranitidine. Ranitidine was also shown to be effective for preventing erosive esophagitis from returning once it had healed.
Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
Ranitidine has been studied in several pathological hypersecretory conditions (where too much stomach acid is produced), including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, and "short-gut" syndrome. These studies showed that ranitidine is effective in decreasing stomach acid production and relieving symptoms, including
diarrhea, pain, and loss of appetite.
When and How to Take Ranitidine
Some general considerations for when and how to take ranitidine include the following:
- Ranitidine comes in tablet form. Depending on the condition, ranitidine is usually taken by mouth one to four times a day.
- Ranitidine is also available as peppermint-flavored Zantec syrup that is available only with a prescription.
- Brand-name ranitidine (Zantac) also comes in an EFFERdose® tablet form that has a light citrus taste. EFFERdose tablets are meant to be dissolved in water before being taken. Zantac EFFERdose is especially effective for use in children. Zantac EFFERdose tablets are available only with a prescription.
- Do not chew EFFERdose tablets or swallow them whole. Also, EFFERdose tablets should not be dissolved on the tongue. Instead, EFFERdose tablets must be dissolved in a certain amount of water before they are taken.
- You may take ranitidine with or without food. If you are using over-the-counter ranitidine to prevent heartburn, you should take ranitidine 30 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking foods that cause heartburn (up to twice a day).
- Take ranitidine at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood. If you take ranitidine just once a day, it is usually best to take it in the evening or before bedtime.
- For ranitidine to work properly, you must take it as prescribed. Ranitidine will not work if you stop taking it.
Factors Affecting Your Ranitidine Dosage
The dose of ranitidine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition for which you are being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As with any medication, do not adjust your ranitidine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Side Effects of Ranitidine
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with ranitidine. However, not everyone who takes ranitidine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate ranitidine well. When ranitidine side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of ranitidine include:
(Click Ranitidine Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of ranitidine, including information about rare but serious health problems that may occur with the drug.)
You can also read about other possible side effects by going to the following eMedTV articles:
Ranitidine Drug Interactions
Ranitidine can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
Ranitidine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Before taking ranitidine, let your healthcare provider know if you have:
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Acute porphyria
- Phenylketonuria.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much ranitidine may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Changes in walking pattern
- Muscle tremors or shakiness
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing.
If you happen to overdose on ranitidine, seek medical attention immediately.
Ranitidine Storage Methods
Store ranitidine at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Keep ranitidine tablets in an airtight container.
As with all medications, keep ranitidine out of the reach of children.
Ranitidine: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your ranitidine as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of ranitidine.
Prescription ranitidine is available in several forms and several strengths:
- Ranitidine 150 mg tablets
- Ranitidine 300 mg tablets
- Zantac 25 mg EFFERdose tablets
- Zantac 150 mg EFFERdose tablets
- Zantac syrup 15 mg per mL (75 mg per teaspoonful).
Ranitidine is also available in an injectable form for use in hospitals.
Over-the-counter ranitidine is available in two strengths:
- Zantac 75 Acid Reducer -- containing 75 mg of ranitidine
- Maximum Strength Zantac 150 Acid Reducer -- containing 150 mg of ranitidine.
Is Ranitidine Available as a Generic?
There is currently both brand-name and generic ranitidine licensed for sale (both prescription and over-the-counter). However, not all forms and dosages of ranitidine are available as generics.
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