Ranitidine is a medicine that inhibits the production of acid by the stomach, being indicated in the treatment of several problems caused by the presence of excess acid, such as reflux esophagitis, gastritis or duodenitis, for example.
This medicine is available in pharmacies in generic form, but can also be purchased under the trade names Antak, Label, Ranitil, Ulcerocin or Neosac, in the form of pills or syrup, for a price of around 20 to 90 reais, depending brand, quantity and pharmaceutical form.
However, there are some laboratories of this drug that were suspended by ANVISA, in September 2019, because a potentially carcinogenic substance, called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was detected in its composition, and suspicious batches were removed from pharmacies.
What is it for
This remedy is indicated for the treatment of stomach or duodenal ulcers, including those that are associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria , treatment of problems caused by gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, treatment of postoperative ulcers, treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and chronic episodic dyspepsia.
In addition, it can also be used to prevent ulcers and bleeding caused by peptic ulcers, stress ulcers in critically ill patients and also to prevent a disease known as Mendelson's syndrome.
Learn how to identify stomach ulcer symptoms.
How to take
Ranitidine dosage should always be indicated by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist, according to the pathology to be treated, however, the general guidelines are:
- Adults: 150 to 300 mg, 2 to 3 times a day, for the time recommended by the doctor, and can be taken in the form of tablets or syrup; Children: 2 to 4 mg / kg, twice daily, not exceeding 300 mg daily. Normally, in children, ranitidine is administered in the form of syrup.
If a dose is missed, take the medicine as soon as possible and take the following doses at the right time, and you should never take a double dose to make up for the dose the person forgot to take.
In addition to these cases, there is still injectable ranitidine, which must be administered by a health professional.
Possible side effects
Generally, this medication is well tolerated, however, in some cases, side effects may occur such as wheezing, chest pain or tightness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth or tongue, fever, rashes or fissures in the skin and feeling of weakness, especially when standing.
Who should not take
Ranitidine should not be used by people who are hypersensitive to any of the components of the formula. In addition, it is also contraindicated for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
