Pharmaceutical Forms Available

The following pharmaceutical forms are authorized for marketing in Italy by the Italian Medicines Agency:

• Ranidil® 300 mg coated tablets in packs of 20 tablets;
• Ranidil® 150 mg coated tablets in box of 20 tablets.

How much?

Ranidil® is a class A drug, i.e. a medicine that can be reimbursed by the NHS and requires a medical prescription to be purchased at the pharmacy. However, the 75 mg dosage can be purchased without a prescription and can also be purchased online from licensed pharmacies. Its price is 6.99 euros for a pack of 10 tablets.

How does it work?

The drug Ranidil® belongs to the category of drugs for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. The maximum plasma concentration of the drug is reached in about 1-3 hours after intake and has a half-life of 2-3 hours. The excretion of the drug is mainly renal.

Ranitidine is a specific antagonist of histamine H2 receptors on the stomach wall. The inhibition of these receptors blocks the secretion of acids by the stomach, thus reducing the tendency for gastric juices to rise. This drug has a fairly long duration of action: a single 150 mg dose is effective for approximately 12 hours.

How is it assumed? The dosage

As far as the dosage is concerned, it is necessary to comply with what is reported in the package leaflet or to follow the doctor’s advice. In adults including the elderly and adolescents 12 years of age and older: the recommended dose is 300 mg daily, 150 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening.

Alternatively, 300 mg can also be administered in patients suffering from gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer, in a single administration in the evening before going to sleep. In patients with large ulcers and severe peptic oesophagitis the dose can be increased up to 600 mg daily, then back to the recommended dosage schedule.

The dosage of the drug for each therapy and need is rather complex and must be evaluated by the doctor according to the pathology and the necessary treatment. For this reason it is always necessary to consult a doctor especially as regards the dosage in cases of serious or recurring pathologies.

Patients suffering from renal insufficiency ranitidine can cause an increase in plasma concentrations. The recommended doses of the drug in the case of patients with hepatic insufficiency should be prescribed by the doctor.

Overdose

Ranidil®  overdose studies have been performed . The product does not present, except in rare cases, problems caused by an overdose, but in case of symptoms of excessive intake of the active principle, symptomatic therapy and supportive therapy must be performed.

In case of accidental ingestion of the drug or of taking an excessive dose, it is advisable to notify your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital. If you have any doubts about the use of the drug, it is advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

As regards the possibilities of using Ranidil® during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor as it is always preferable not to take any drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding without first asking your doctor’s opinion.

Ranitidine is able to cross the placental barrier and for this reason it should be administered during pregnancy only if the benefits far outweigh the risks associated with its intake.

The active ingredient is excreted in breast milk and for this reason it is not recommended to take it during breastfeeding. For any doubts, it is advisable to seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Contraindications

The use of ranitidine is not recommended in cases of hypersensitivity to the same, as well as in cases of hypersensitivity to the excipients contained in the drug. The excipients present in the tablets are: microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide E171 and magnesium stearate.

There are no other contraindications to consider for the use of Ranidil® drug. If you have any doubts about the use of the drug and about any contraindications, it is advisable to contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions with other drugs

Like any other drug, Ranidil® can also interact with other products. The drug can interact with diazepam, phenytoin, propranolol, lidocaine, theophylline, warfarin and other anticoagulants and can affect the elimination of other medicines.

High doses of ranitidine may reduce the excretion of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide and increase the plasma levels of these medicinal products in the body.

The drug can cause an increase in the absorption of triazolam, glipizide and midazolam and decrease the absorption of atazanavir, ketoconazole, delaviridine and gefitnib.

The absorption of ranitidine may be decreased in the presence of high doses of magnesium hydroxide, sucralfate or aluminum hydroxide (other drugs used to treat hyperacidity). For this reason it is recommended to administer these drugs with an interval of approximately 2 hours. If you have any doubts about the use of the drug and its contraindications, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects

As with any drug,  Ranidil® can also have side effects. These include: agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, medullary aplasia, hypoplasia, anaphylactic shock, dyspnea, agitation, depression, hallucinations, mental confusion, tachycardia, bradycardia, headache, somnolence, insomnia, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis , increased levels of creatinine.

If you have any doubts about the use of the drug, it is advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist.