Ranitidine is used to treat certain conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It might also be used to treat ulcers of the small intestine that have not responded to other treatment.
Following the dosage instructions of your doctor is the best way to use any medication. If you are unsure or do not remember the instructions then you may read the medicine label for more detailed information.
You may choose to take Ranitidine with a meal or without one.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Ranitidine is categorized as an H2-receptor blocker. It blocks the action of histamine in the stomach. Thus the amount of acid the stomach makes gets reduced. This in turn reduces heartburn and heals irritation of the esophagus, and to heal ulcers of the stomach or intestines.
Despite your best attempts at remembering, if you still miss out on a dose, then take it as soon as you remember about it. But keep in mind that you will have to adjust your next dose by spacing it out by 4 to 5 hours. If this is not possible, then the best thing to do would be to skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosage schedule.
Never try to compensate for the missed dose by taking a double dose together. It may cause adverse effects.
Store Ranitidine between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). You may also store it between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) for a limited time. Always keep it in a cool dark place that is not directly exposed to sources of heat or moisture and sunlight. Protect it from kids and pets.
Doctors advise against using Ranitidine if you are allergic to any ingredient in it or if you have a history of porphyria (a blood disease); you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have a history of kidney or liver problems; you have abnormal blood electrolyte levels or a history of irregular heartbeat.
Discuss your past/current medical history in detail with your doctor before beginning treatment with any new medication. If you are using any herbal supplements or over the counter medication, including vitamin pills, then mention it to your doctor.
There are some medicines that may interact with Ranitidine like:
Certain benzodiazepines (eg, midazolam), glipizide, or procainamide because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Ranitidine
Certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir), dasatinib, delavirdine, gefitinib, itraconazole, or ketoconazole because their effectiveness may be decreased by Ranitidine
If you are expecting a child or are planning to have a child in the near future, then consult your doctor before using Ranitidine to discuss any possible threats to the unborn baby.
If you are a nursing mother and breast feed your baby, then too, seek consultation before using Ranitidine as some drugs are excreted in the breast milk and may enter the baby.
Most medications have some kind of side effects associated with them. The commonest of these side effects are temporary and mild and fade away without any special attention.
These include constipation; diarrhea; headache; nausea; stomach upset.
However, in some cases, these mild side effects may persist or become bothersome. In such cases, seek medical attention.
Also, in some rare cases, it may lead to severe side effects like severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); confusion; dark urine; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; severe or persistent headache or stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Seek medical attention if you notice any of these side effects.
Side effects that are not listed here may also occur.