ranitidine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Histamine H2-receptor antagonist
Selected licensed role
Relief of heartburn, indigestion, acid indigestion and hyperacidity
Current availability
Not currently available in the UK
Administration
The film-coated tablet is swallowed whole with water; food does not significantly impair absorption
What is ranitidine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product was licensed for symptomatic relief of:
Heartburn
Indigestion and acid indigestion
Hyperacidity
How does ranitidine hydrochloride work?
Ranitidine blocks histamine H2 receptors on acid-producing cells in the stomach. This reduces resting and stimulated gastric-acid secretion, including its volume and pepsin content.
ranitidine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 mg
How to take ranitidine hydrochloride
Swallow the selected film-coated tablet whole with water. Food does not significantly impair absorption. Ranitidine is not currently available in the UK; ask a pharmacist or prescriber about an available alternative.
ranitidine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- No effects are classified as common in the selected SmPC. Abdominal pain, constipation and nausea are listed as uncommon.
- Rare or very rare effects include rash, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, blurred vision and confusion.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, wheezing, low blood pressure or collapse
- Hepatitis, sometimes with jaundice
- Acute pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain
- Major blood-count changes, which may present with unexplained fever, infection, bruising or bleeding
- Acute interstitial nephritis or vasculitis
ranitidine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Ranitidine crosses the placenta. Available evidence for H2-receptor antagonists has not identified clear pregnancy risks, but the selected product advises consulting a doctor or pharmacist before use. Ranitidine is currently unavailable, and other acid-control options are generally considered first.
ranitidine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Ranitidine passes into breast milk, so the selected product advises speaking to a doctor before use. Specialist guidance considers H2-receptor antagonists compatible with breastfeeding in healthy, full-term infants but prefers alternatives such as famotidine or nizatidine. Ranitidine is currently unavailable.
ranitidine hydrochloride interactions
Ranitidine can alter another medicine’s absorption or elimination. A pharmacist or prescriber should review concurrent medicines.
Coumarin anticoagulants, including warfarin
Prothrombin time may increase or decrease, so anticoagulation monitoring may need to be closer during concurrent use.
Medicines with absorption dependent on stomach acidity
Reduced stomach acidity can increase or decrease absorption and may alter clinical effect.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
People taking these medicines, particularly older people or those with previous peptic ulceration, should not self-medicate with the selected product without medical advice.
Common questions about ranitidine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ranitidine hydrochloride available in the UK?
No. It is not currently available in the UK or globally.
Why was it discontinued?
It was discontinued as a precaution because some products could contain NDMA, an impurity associated with cancer risk in animal studies.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.