Ranitidine is an H2 receptor blocking agent (antihistamine) that reduces acid production by the stomach and is available OTC without any prescription.
Which medications contain ranitidine?
Ranitidine is an oral drug that blocks the production of acid by acid-producing cells in the stomach. It belongs to a class of drugs called H2 (histamine-2) blockers that also includes cimetidine (Tagamet), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Is there an alternative to ranitidine?
Are there similar medicines? There are 3 other medicines that are similar to ranitidine. They are cimetidine, famotidine and nizatidine. Like ranitidine, these medicines are H2 blockers.
Should I stop taking ranitidine?
Ranitidine is used for long-term or short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: You may still have stomach pain caused by high amounts of acid in your stomach. This may make your condition worse.
Has ranitidine been discontinued?
As a result of this recall, ranitidine products will no longer be available for prescription or OTC use in the US. The FDA is also advising consumers taking OTC ranitidine to stop taking this medication, including any unused ranitidine medication they may still have at home.
What is the safest acid reflux medicine?
If you have mild reflux symptoms that occur less than two times a week, you can start with a low dose of famotidine (Pepcid) or cimetidine (Tagamet). Ranitidine (Zantac), another H2 blocker, was recently removed from the market because it was found to contain higher-than-acceptable levels of cancer-causing substances.
Is ranitidine banned in Canada?
In September 2019, Health Canada directed companies to stop distributing ranitidine drugs in Canada as an interim, precautionary measure while it assessed the risk of NDMA detected in some drugs.
Why ranitidine is banned?
In its latest communication, the USFDA requested manufacturers to withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter versions of Ranitidine. The move followed ongoing investigation into the contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen or cancer causing substance, the USFDA said.
Why has ranitidine been banned?
The medicines are being recalled because they may contain unacceptable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). FDA has advised companies to recall their ranitidine if testing shows levels of NDMA above the acceptable daily intake (96 nanograms per day or 0.32 parts per million for ranitidine).
What are the long term side effects of ranitidine?
The long-term side effects of Zantac are many.
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These include:
- Anemia and other concerns about blood cells.
- Liver function and possible liver damage.
- Cardiovascular concerns including a heart rate that is too slow, too fast, or irregular.
- Vertigo.
- Meningitis and other brain-related complications.
- Dystonia.
Which is safer ranitidine or omeprazole?
There was no significant difference between the 10- and 20-mg doses of omeprazole (P = 0.06). Conclusions: Maintenance treatment with omeprazole (20 or 10 mg once daily) is superior to ranitidine (150 mg twice daily) in keeping patients with erosive reflux esophagitis in remission over a 12-month period.
What’s the difference between omeprazole and ranitidine?
Prilosec is a brand name for the generic drug omeprazole. It works by blocking the pumps in your stomach that produce acid. Zantac is a brand name for a different generic drug, ranitidine. Zantac blocks a chemical in your body called histamine that activates the acid pumps.