Pregnancy Risk Category B
How supplied
Tablets: 75 mgOTC, 150 mg, 300 mg
Tablets (dispersible): 150 mg‡
Tablets (effervescent):150 mg
Granules (effervescent):150 mg
Syrup: 15 mg/ml*
Injection: 25 mg/ml
Infusion: 0.5 mg/ml in 100-ml containers
Action
Competitively inhibits action of H2 at receptor sites of the parietal cells, decreasing gastric acid secretion.
Indications & dosage
Duodenal and gastric ulcer (short-term treatment); pathologic hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome--
Adults: 150 mg P.O. b.i.d. or 300 mg daily h.s. Or, 50 mg I.V. or I.M. q 6 to 8 hours. Patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may need doses up to 6 g P.O. daily.
Maintenance therapy for duodenal or gastric ulcer--
Adults: 150 mg P.O. h.s.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease--
Adults: 150 mg P.O. b.i.d.
Erosive esophagitis--
Adults: 150 mg P.O. q.i.d. Maintenance dose is 150 mg P.O. b.i.d.
Heartburn--
Adults: 75 mg (Zantac 75 only) P.O. as symptoms occur, not to exceed 150 mg daily.
Adjust-a-dose: For renally impaired patients with creatinine clearance below 50 ml/minute, 150 mg P.O. q 24 hours or 50 mg I.V. q 18 to 24 hours.
Adverse reactions
CNS: vertigo, malaise.
EENT: blurred vision.
GU: increased serum creatinine levels.
Hematologic: reversible leukopenia, pancytopenia.
Hepatic: elevated liver enzymes, jaundice.
Other: burning and itching at injection site, anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema.
Interactions
Drug-drug. Antacids: may interfere with ranitidine absorption. Stagger doses if possible.
Diazepam: decreased absorption of diazepam. Monitor closely.
Glipizide: possible increased hypoglycemic effect. Adjust glipizide dosage as needed.
Procainamide: possible decreased renal clearance of procainamide. Monitor patient closely for toxicity.
Warfarin: possible interference with warfarin clearance. Monitor closely.
Effects on diagnostic tests
Drug may cause false-positive results in urine protein tests using Multistix.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug.
Nursing considerations
I.V. administration
Patient teaching
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING