Ranitidine: H2-histamine receptor blocker and its uses
Ranitidine is a pharmacological agent belonging to the group of H2-histamine receptor blockers and drugs with similar effects. It is widely used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases. In this article we will consider the main aspects of ranitidine, its manufacturers, dosage forms, synonyms, indications for use, contraindications, side effects, interactions with other drugs, measures for overdose and special instructions.
Ranitidine is produced by several companies in different countries, including Russia, India, Ukraine and Slovenia. Among the manufacturers of ranitidine are Akrikhin HFC, Bryntsalov-A, Wave International, Vector, Vector-Pharm, J.R. Sharma Overseas, Health UKR, Irbit Chemical-Pharmaceutical Plant, Kanonpharma Production, Krka and Krka etc.
Ranitidine is available in various dosage forms such as 150 mg and 300 mg film-coated tablets, 50 mg injection, film tablets, effervescent tablets and others. The active ingredient in ranitidine is ranitidine itself.
The drug ranitidine is used to treat various diseases of the stomach and digestive system, including peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, NSAID gastropathy, postoperative ulcers, reflux esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, chronic dyspepsia and other conditions.
However, ranitidine has contraindications. The use of the drug is not recommended in case of hypersensitivity to ranitidine, various disorders of liver and kidney function, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under 14 years of age.
Like any medicine, ranitidine can cause side effects. Among the most common undesirable effects may be headache, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, agitation, depression, hallucinations, visual disturbances, involuntary movements, arrhythmias, digestive disorders, pancreatitis, hepatitis, arthralgia, myalgia, changes in the blood and others. If you experience any adverse reactions while taking ranitidine, you should contact your doctor immediately.
You also need to be careful about the interactions of ranitidine with other drugs. Ranitidine may increase the concentration of certain drugs in the body, such as warfarin, phenytoin, theophylline, and digoxin. Therefore, when these drugs are used concomitantly with ranitidine, caution should be exercised and monitored for effectiveness and side effects.
In case of an overdose of ranitidine, symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, bradycardia, decreased blood pressure and others may occur. If you suspect an overdose, you should immediately seek medical help.
Some features of ranitidine to be aware of include the possibility of worsening symptoms of stomach cancer, the possibility of masking symptoms of other diseases such as esophageal cancer, and the possibility of interfering with the results of some laboratory tests.
It is important to note that this information is current as of my last update in September 2021. Therefore, for more accurate and up-to-date information about ranitidine, it is recommended to consult with a medical professional or refer to the latest scientific sources and official guidelines for the use of the drug.