Ranitidine is a drug used to treat symptoms or diseases associated with excess acid production in the stomach. Excessive stomach acid production can trigger irritation and inflammation of the stomach wall and digestive tract.
Ranitidine will inhibit the secretion of excess gastric acid. Some conditions that can be treated with ranitidine include peptic ulcers, heartburn, acid reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Recently, some products containing ranitidine have been proven to be contaminated with N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a substance that has the potential to cause cancer if consumed in excessive amounts and for a long time. For that reason, BPOM has temporarily decided to withdraw some ranitidine products from circulation.
Ranitidine trademark: Ranitidine, Ranitidine, Ranitidine Hydrochloride, Ranitidine HCL.
What's that Ranitidine?
| group | Histamine H2-receptor antagonist |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Reduces excess gastric acid secretion |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Ranitidine for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown a risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Ranitidine is absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, caplets, injections. |
Warnings Before Using Ranitidine:
- Do not use ranitidine if you are allergic to this medicine and to other medicines in the same class as ranitidine, such as cimetidine and famotidine.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had porphyria, phenylketonuria, diabetes, immune system disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, lung problems and sugar intolerance.
- Please be careful when using ranitidine if you are having difficulty swallowing.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and supplements.
- In case of an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose, see a doctor immediately.
Dosage and Instructions for Use Ranitidine
The dosage of ranitidine is determined based on age, condition being treated, severity of condition, other medications being used, and the body's response to the drug. The following is the division of the dosage of ranitidine tablets and caplets:
- Dyspepsia
Mature: For chronic dyspepsia, the dose is 150 mg 2 times daily or 300 mg once daily, for 6 weeks. For acute dyspepsia, the dose of 75 mg can be up to 4 times a day, for a maximum of 2 weeks.
- Infection Helicobacter pyloriMature: 300 mg as a single dose or 150 mg twice daily, in combination with amoxicillin 750 mg and metronidazole 550 mg for 2 weeks.
- Benign gastric and duodenal ulcers
Mature: 150 mg 2 times a day or 300 mg once a day. Maintenance dose 150 mg once daily.
Children (1 month-16 years): 2-4 mg/kg body weight 2 times a day. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day. For the maintenance dose, 2-4 mg/kg body weight per day. The maximum dose is 150 mg.
- Hypersecretion Disorder
Mature: 150 mg 2-3 times a day. The maximum dose is 6 grams per day.
- Acid reflux disease or GERD
Mature: 150 mg 2 times daily or 300 mg once daily, taken for 8 weeks. In severe cases of GERD, a dose of 150 mg 4 times a day for 12 weeks can be given.
Children (1 month-16 years): 5-10 mg/kg body weight per day, divided into 2 doses. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day.
- Erosive esophageal inflammation
Mature: 150 mg 4 times a day. For the maintenance dose, 150 mg 2 times daily.
Children (1 month – 16 years): 5-10 mg/kg body weight per day, divided into 2 doses. The maximum dose is 600 mg per day.
- Ulcers associated with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Mature: 150 mg 2 times daily or 300 mg once daily, taken for 8-12 weeks. For the preventive dose, 150 mg 2 times a day.
Especially for ranitidine in the form of injections (intravenous or parenteral), the dose will be determined by the doctor at the hospital based on the patient's health condition and the severity of the disease. Injections should only be given by a doctor or by medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor.
How to use Ranitidine correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and always remember to read the description on the packaging before using ranitidine. Do not double or reduce the dose, and do not extend the time you take the drug.
Ranitidine can be taken before or after meals. Try to take ranitdine at the same time every day so that the medicine can work more effectively.
If you forget to take ranitidine, it is advisable to do it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store ranitidine at room temperature, away from heat and humidity. Keep ranitidine out of reach of children.
Ranitidine Interactions with Drugs
Ranitidine may cause some interactions when used together with other medicines. These interactions include:
- Increases serum concentration and slows gastrointestinal absorption of ranitidine when used with propantheline bromide.
- Inhibits the metabolism of theophylline, diazepam, and propranolol in the liver.
- Interfere with absorption of drugs whose absorption rate is affected by pH, such as ketoconazole and midazolam.
- Decreased bioavailability of ranitidine, when used concomitantly with antacids or sucralfate.
Side Effects and Dangers Ranitidine
Some of the common side effects after taking ranitidine are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Insomnia.
- Vertigo.
- Rash.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Stomach pain.
- No appetite.
- Urine looks cloudy.
- Skin bruises or cuts easily.
- Heart rate increases or decreases.
- Hair loss.
- Confusion.
- hallucination.
- Jaundice.