Ranitidine (Ranitidine)
Overview of Ranitidine
Ranitidine is a histamine H-2 receptor antagonist similar to cimetidine and famotidine. Competitively inhibits the binding of histamine to receptors on gastric parietal cells (designated as the H-2 receptor), thus reducing basal and nocturnal gastric acid secretion. It also decreases the amount of gastric acid released in response to stimuli such as food, caffeine, insulin etc. Ranitidine is 5-12 times as potent as cimetidine as a histamine receptor antagonist while having less affinity than cimetidine for the cytochrome hepatic enzyme system. As a result, ranitidine is much less likely than cimetidine to interact with other drugs, although drug interactions with ranitidine do exist. Similar to other H2-receptor antagonists, the main use of ranitidine is in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In June 1983 ranitidine was approved by the FDA for use in managemnt of duodenal ulcer and hypersecretory states. Ranitidine is administered orally and by intravevous injection or infusion.,Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate (also known as Ranitidine Bismutrex) is a complex of ranitidine with bismuth and citrate, which releases ranitidine and bismuth in the gastro-intestinal tract and therefore possesses both the actions of the bismuth compounds and of ranitidine. Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate is used in the management of peptic ulcer disease and may also be given in combination with antibiotics for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Indication of Ranitidine
Ranitidine is primarily indicated in conditions like Benign gastric and duodenal ulceration, Benign gastric ulcer, Chronic episodic dyspepsia, Duodenal ulcer, Duodenal ulceration, Duodenal ulceration associated with H. Pylori, Gastric acid reduction (surgical procedures), Gastric acidity, Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, Heart burn, Long-term treatment of healed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, NSAID-associated ulceration, Peptic ulcer, Post-operative ulcer, Prophylaxis of acid aspiration in obstetric patients, Prophylaxis of NSAID-associated gastric or duodenal ulcer, Prophylaxis of NSAID-induced duodenal ulcer, Prophylaxis of NSAID-induced ulcer, Prophylaxis of recurrent haemorrhage, Prophylaxis of stress ulceration, Reflux oesophagitis, Zollinger-ellison syndrome, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Helicobacter pylori infection, Long-term treatment of healed reflux oesophagitis, Long-term treatment of reflux oesophagitis, Moderate to severe reflux oesophagitis, Prophylaxis of acid aspiration in obstetrics, Prophylaxis of mendelson's syndrome, Surgical procedures.
Contraindication of Ranitidine
Ranitidine is contraindicated in conditions like Porphyria,Hypersensitivity,Pregnancy,Breast feeding,Pain and inflammation (rheumatic disease).
Side Effects of Ranitidine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Ranitidine, which give rise to further complications include Thrombocytopenia, Hepatitis, Hepatomegaly, Stevens johnson syndrome, Bradycardia, AV-block, Leucopenia, Acute pancreatitis, Pancytopenia, Marrow hypoplasia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Ranitidine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Tiredness, Headache, Nausea, Diarrhea, Fever, Constipation, Rashes, Confusion, Erythema, Dysuria, Hallucination, Impotence, Darkening of stool and tongue, Depression, Arthralgia, Gynecomastia, Agitation, Anaphylactic shock.
Precautions of Ranitidine
Ranitidine should be used with caution in patients with impaired kidney or liver function. Intravenous injection should be given slowly and intravenous infusion is recommended in patients with cardiovascular impairment. Exclude the possibility of malignancy in gastric ulcer before instituting therapy. Regular supervision of patient with peptic ulcer and on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended, especially if eldery.Should be avoided in the patient with history of acute porphyria.,Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate should be used with caution in hepatic impairment, in renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding.H2 receptor antagonists might mask the symptoms of gastric cancer; perticular care is required in those whose symptoms change and in those who are middle-aged or over.