Generic Name : ranitidine hydrochloride

Brand Name:

Apo-Ranitidine (CAN),

CO Ranitidine (CAN),

Gen-Ranitidine (CAN),

Novo-Ranitidine, (CAN),

Nu-Ranit (CAN),

ratio-Ranitidine (CAN),

Zantac,

Zantac EFFERdose,

Zantac GELdose,

Zantac 75,

Zantac 150

Classification:

Histamine2 (H2) antagonist

Pregnancy Category B

Dosage & Route

Available forms : Tablets75, 150, 300 mg; effervescent tablets and granules25, 150
mg; syrup15 mg/mL; injection1, 25 mg/mL

Adults

Active duodenal ulcer: 150 mg bid PO for 48 wk. Alternatively, 300 mg PO once
daily at bedtime or 50 mg IM or IV q 68 hr or by intermittent IV infusion, diluted to
100 mL and infused over 1520 min. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

Maintenance therapy, duodenal ulcer: 150 mg PO at bedtime.

Active gastric ulcer: 150 mg bid PO or 50 mg IM or IV q 68 hr.

Pathologic hypersecretory syndrome: 150 mg bid PO. Individualize dose with

patients response. Do not exceed 6 g/day.

GERD, esophagitis, benign gastric ulcer: 150 mg bid PO.

Treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion: 75 mg PO as needed.

Pediatric

Safety and efficacy not established.

Geriatric Patients and Patients with Impaired Renal Function

For creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min, accumulation may occur; use lowest dose
possible, 150 mg q 24 hr PO or 50 mg IM or IV q 1824 hr.

Dosing may be increased to q 12 hr if patient tolerates it and blood levels are

monitored.

Therapeutic actions
Ranitidine blocks histamine H2-receptors in the stomach and prevents histamine-mediated
gastric acid secretion. It does not affect pepsin secretion, pentagastrin-stimulated factor
secretion or serum gastrin.

Indications

Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer

Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer at reduced dosage

Short-term treatment of active, benign gastric ulcer

Short-term treatment of GERD

Pathologic hypersecretory conditions (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

Treatment of erosive esophagitis

Treatment of heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach

Adverse effects

Headache, dizziness. Rarely hepatitis, thrombocytopaenia, leucopaenia,

hypersensitivity, confusion, gynecomastia, impotence, somnolence, vertigo,
hallucinations.

Potentially Fatal: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions.

Contraindications

Porphyria.

Nursing considerations
Assessment

History: Allergy to ranitidine, impaired renal or hepatic function, lactation,

pregnancy

Physical: Skin lesions; orientation, affect; pulse, baseline ECG; liver evaluation,
abdominal examination, normal output; CBC, LFTs, renal function tests

Interventions

Administer oral drug with meals and at bedtime.

Decrease doses in renal and liver failure.

Provide concurrent antacid therapy to relieve pain.

Administer IM dose undiluted, deep into large muscle group.

Arrange for regular follow-up, including blood tests, to evaluate effects.

Teaching points

Take drug with meals and at bedtime. Therapy may continue for 46 weeks or
longer.

If you also are using an antacid, take it exactly as prescribed, being careful of the
times of administration.

Have regular medical follow-up care to evaluate your response.

You may experience these side effects: Constipation or diarrhea (request aid from
your health care provider); nausea, vomiting (take drug with meals); enlargement
of breasts, impotence or decreased libido (reversible); headache (adjust lights
and temperature and avoid noise).

Report sore throat, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, tarry stools, confusion,
hallucinations, dizziness, severe headache, muscle or joint pain.