Ranitidine hydrochloride ( CAS: 66357-35-5)

Ranitidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid

production. It is commonly used in treatment of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ranitidine is also used alongside fexofenadine

and other antihistamines for the treatment of skin conditions such as hives. Ranitidine is

also known to give false positives for methamphetamine on drug tests.

It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, a list of the

most important medication needed in a basic health system.

Medical use

Relief of heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach.

Short-term and maintenance therapy of gastric and duodenal ulcers

Ranitidine can also be coadministered with NSAIDs to reduce the risk of ulceration.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more effective for the prevention of NSAID-induced ulcers.

Pathologic GI Hypersecretory Conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

erosive esophagitis

Part of a multidrug regimen for H. pylori eradication to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence.

Recurrent postoperative ulcer

Upper GI bleeding

Prevention of acid-aspiration pneumonitis during surgery: Ranitidine can be administered

preoperatively to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. The drug not only increases gastric

pH, but also reduces the total output of gastric juice. In a 2009 meta-analysis comparing the net

benefit of proton pump inhibitors and ranitidine to reduce the risk of aspiration before anesthesia,

ranitidine was found to be more effective than proton pump inhibitors in reducing the volume of

gastric secretions. Ranitidine may have an antiemetic effect when administered preoperatively.

Prevention of stress-induced ulcers in critically ill patients.Ranitidine is a histamine H2-receptor

antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production. It is commonly used in treatment of peptic ulcer

disease (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ranitidine is also used alongside

fexofenadine and other antihistamines for the treatment of skin conditions such as hives. Ranitidine

is also known to give false positives for methamphetamine on drug tests.

It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most

important medication needed in a basic health system.