Ranitidine: Stomach Acid Drug whose circulation had been withdrawn | Good Doctor

Ranitidine is a drug used to treat symptoms of stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers which function to reduce various symptoms that will appear due to stomach acid levels that are too high.

In addition to overcoming stomach ulcers due to stomach acid, ranitidine is also able to treat various stomach and esophageal diseases.

This drug was withdrawn from circulation

In October 2019, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) gave an order to withdraw this drug from the market.

The withdrawal is based on a notification from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicine Agency (EMA).

They say that there is N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination in drug products containing ranitidine which is strongly suspected of containing compounds that can trigger cancer.

Ranitidine can finally be distributed again

In November 2019, BPOM again allowed the circulation of ranitidine in Indonesia.

The pharmaceutical industry can resume production and distribution of its products after ensuring that their products do not contain NDMA exceeding the permissible threshold.

According to BPOM, the permissible threshold is 96 ng/day in accordance with global studies which agree that the allowable limit for NDMA contamination is.

BPOM itself admits that it has conducted studies and laboratory tests on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination in ranitidine on the market and several products have been declared safe.

How to use ranitidine

To consume these drugs in the form of tablets and capsules, you are required to follow the doctor’s recommendations and always remember to follow the information on the packaging.

You are strictly prohibited from exceeding or reducing the dose and extending the time of using the drug without a doctor’s advice.

You can take this medicine before or after eating at the same time every day so that the medicine can work effectively.

If you forget or miss taking it, pay attention to the same time you took the drug. Never double the dose.

Doctors will usually prescribe the consumption of this drug once or twice a day. Chances are the doctor will prescribe 3 times a day for some conditions.

The dosage and duration of this treatment will be based on your medical condition. For children, the dosage may also be based on body weight. Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully.

Safe dosage

Pay attention to the instructions and recommendations from the doctor and always follow the information on the drug packaging. Several divisions of the dosage of this drug are based on the body’s response to the drug, age and the severity of your condition.

Dosage for ranitidine tablets and capsules:

Acid reflux disease or GERD

For adults: use 150 mg 2 times a day, take this drug for 6 weeks.

For a more appropriate drug dosage, it is better to first consult the symptoms you are feeling.

Preventive measure

This medication is not recommended for use in children when used to treat pathological hypersecretory conditions or to maintain healing of erosive esophagitis.

Before using ranitidine, consult your doctor if you have allergies to drugs. Don’t forget to provide complete information about your medical history, such as:

• Certain blood disorders (porphyria)
• Immune system problems
• Kidney problems
• Lung disease
• Heart problem
• Other stomach problems

Rules for drinking in the elderly and pregnant women

For the elderly or elderly people, it is possible that conditions are more sensitive to the side effects of this drug.

As for pregnant or breastfeeding women, until now it is recognized that there is still no adequate research on whether ranitidine is safe for consumption.

Although according Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the United States Food and Drug Administration explains that ranitidine is included in the category B risk of pregnancy or is not at risk in several studies.

However, you should always consult your doctor to consider the potential benefits and risks before using this drug.

Things that must be considered

Immediately seek medical help if you experience symptoms such as:

• Severe and unusual heartburn
• Chest pain is severe
• Pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder
• nausea
• Excessive sweating on the body

The use of this drug can also increase the risk of developing pneumonia. Consult a doctor if you experience the following pneumonia symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Fever
• Short breath
• Cough that produces green or yellow mucus

Side effects

As with other drugs, ranitidine also has side effects. In allergic cases, signs such as:

• Itchy rash
• Swelling of the face
• Swelling of the lips
• It’s hard to breathe
• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling of the throat

In addition, ranitidine also has serious side effects. Immediately stop using the drug and seek medical help if you experience conditions such as:

• Stomach ache
• Loss of appetite
• Dark urine
• Yellow eyes
• Fever
• shivers
• Mucous cough
• Unusual heart beats such as slowing down or too fast
• The body bruises or bleeds easily
• Hallucinations

Ranitidine interactions with other drugs

There is a high possibility that ranitidine can interact with other drugs, vitamins or herbal medicines that you are taking.

In order to get maximum results and prevent various dangerous complications, make sure you provide information and information related to your medical history as completely as possible in order to get appropriate advice from your doctor.

Some examples of drugs that can cause interactions with ranitidine are divided into several classifications, such as:

Drugs that should not be used together with ranitidine

• Delavirdine: Do not take delavirdine with ranitidine. Doing so may cause harmful effects. Ranitidine reduces the levels of delavirdine in the body, which means that delavirdine won’t work as well.

Medications that will increase your risk of side effects

• Procainamide: Taking high doses of ranitidine with procainamide can cause side effects from procainamide itself
• Warfarin: Taking ranitidine with warfarin might increase the risk of bleeding or blood clots. Your doctor may carry out tighter supervision if you use these drugs together
• Midazolam and triazolam: Taking ranitidine with any of these medications increases your risk of extreme and long-lasting drowsiness
• Glipizide: Taking this drug with ranitidine may increase your risk of low blood sugar

Drugs that make the effect not work optimally

• Atazanavir: If you are required to take this drug together with ratidine, the doctor will tell you how long the time lag is when taking between doses of this drug.
• Gefitinib: If you are taking gefitinib and ranitidine with an antacid sodium bicarbonate, gefitinib may not work as well. Consult this condition with your doctor if you are forced to use gefitinib and ranitidine together

Storage suggestions

• Store ranitidine at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C)
• Keep ranitidine out of direct sunlight
• Do not store this medication in a damp place such as the bathroom

Tips for those of you who are traveling

• Always carry ranitidine on your trip
• While on a flight, always keep this medication in your carry-on bag
• There is no need to worry when ranitidine is included in an x-ray examination at the airport because it has no effect on the drug
• Bring ranitidine in a container labeled with the original prescription for your medicine so that if necessary, you can show the drug to the airport staff
• Do not leave ranitidine in the car especially when it is very hot or very cold

Even though ranitidine is sold freely, it would be better if you consult your doctor’s needs according to your body and medical conditions to get the right dosage.

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