Ranitidine

Key facts

• Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces, easing heartburn, reflux, and ulcer symptoms.
• Regulators in many countries withdrew or recalled ranitidine products after finding they could contain NDMA, a chemical classified as a probable human carcinogen, at levels that increased over time and with storage temperature.
• Because of this, ranitidine is no longer available or recommended in many places, and other acid-reducing medicines are generally preferred.
• Seek urgent care for black or tarry stools, vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain, which can signal a bleeding ulcer.

What ranitidine treats

Ranitidine treats gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, heartburn, and stomach and duodenal ulcers by lowering stomach acid production. It has also been used to prevent ulcers in people at risk and to manage conditions where the stomach makes excessive acid.

How ranitidine works

Histamine acts on H2 receptors in the stomach lining to stimulate acid production. Ranitidine blocks these receptors, reducing both the volume and acidity of stomach secretions. Less acid allows irritated tissue in the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum to heal and reduces the burning sensation of reflux.

Before you take it

• Discuss with a pharmacist or prescriber whether ranitidine is still available or advisable where you live, given the widespread withdrawals and recalls.
• Tell your prescriber about kidney problems, since dose adjustment is needed when the kidneys do not clear the drug normally.
• Report symptoms that do not improve, or that return quickly after stopping treatment, since these may need further investigation rather than continued self-treatment.
• Long-term, unsupervised use to mask ongoing symptoms can delay diagnosis of a more serious underlying condition.

Side effects

Common effects include headache, constipation, diarrhoea, and nausea.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

• Black or tarry stools, or vomiting blood.
• Severe or worsening abdominal pain.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as facial swelling or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

• Ranitidine has been withdrawn or recalled in many countries after regulators found it could be contaminated with NDMA, a probable carcinogen, with levels that can rise during storage. This is the single most important fact to know about this medicine.
• If ranitidine is unavailable or not recommended where you are, a pharmacist or prescriber can suggest an alternative acid-reducing medicine with an unaffected safety profile.
• If you have unused ranitidine from before it was withdrawn in your country, ask a pharmacist how to dispose of it safely rather than continuing to take it.
• Do not use ranitidine to self-treat symptoms that persist or worsen; seek a proper diagnosis instead.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.