In order to carry out its therapeutic action, ranitidine must be taken orally. Some of the medicines that contain it are classified as over-the-counter (OTC) or SOP (non-prescription) drugs, while others require an appropriate medical prescription in order to be dispensed.
of its class most used to treat disorders and diseases related to stomach acid hypersecretion. However, following the provisions given by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), medicines containing this active ingredient have recently been withdrawn from the market.
This "operation was made necessary following the discovery of an" impurity in some batches of ranitidine-based medicines from the Saraca Laboratories LTD pharmaceutical workshop located in India. The found impurity is N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, a substance probably considered carcinogenic to humans and already found, among other things, in 2018 in medicines based on sartans (antihypertensive drugs) for which withdrawal from the market was also envisaged in that case.
In light of what was discovered, in the second half of 2019, AIFA ordered the withdrawal from pharmacies and the distribution chain of all batches of medicines containing ranitidine produced at the aforementioned laboratory in India. Although the impurity was found only in some batches, AIFA proceeded with the withdrawal of all medicines containing ranitidine in order to carry out further investigations, safeguarding the health of patients with the preventive withdrawal of all medicines containing this histamine H2 receptor antagonist.
More information is available on the official website of the Italian Medicines Agency.
Despite what has been said so far and the current impossibility of finding ranitidine-based medicines, the main characteristics of this active ingredient will still be illustrated below.
;Ranitidine can also be used to prevent stomach acid rising during an operation under anesthesia and in children and adolescents for the short-term treatment of stomach ulcers and problems caused by gastric acid rising to the stomach. "esophagus.
vary according to the disorder to be treated, its severity, the age of the patient and the patient's response to therapy. It is therefore always advisable to comply with the instructions provided by the doctor and the instructions given on the package leaflet of the medicinal product. must use.the use of the drug or to identify situations that may require a particular control by the same doctor. More in detail, it is good to inform this health professional if:
- You have liver problems
- You have severe kidney problems;
- You have stomach tumors;
- You have porphyria;
- You are diabetic;
- You have chronic lung disease;
- You have problems of any kind with the immune system;
- You are elderly;
- You are being treated with other drugs, including NSAIDs.
However, your doctor should be informed if you are taking, have recently taken or might be taking any type of drug - including SOP and OTC - or products (including natural ones), even if not listed above.
mediated by histamine. We recall, in fact, that the activation of histamine H2 receptors present on the gastric mucosa stimulates the secretion of acids through an AMPc-dependent mechanism (dependent on cyclic adenosine monophosphate).which can manifest themselves with:
- Rash, itching or raised skin;
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing;
- Unexplained fever and feeling of fainting, especially when standing.
Other possible side effects that may occur while taking ranitidine are:
- Nausea;
- Bellyache;
- Constipation;
- Skin rashes;
- Changes in liver function;
- Increase in blood creatinine levels;
- Diarrhea;
- He retched;
- Hair loss
- Dizziness and blurred vision;
- Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis or pancytopenia;
- Confusion, agitation, hallucinations, depression;
- Sometimes severe headache;
- Vasculitis;
- Enlargement of the liver.
The above are just some of the possible side effects caused by ranitidine, for more information, it is advisable to consult the package leaflet of the medicine to be taken.
, its use in pregnant women should, if possible, be avoided and reserved for those cases deemed absolutely necessary by the doctor. The same applies to breastfeeding, as the active substance is excreted in breast milk. If treatment with ranitidine is absolutely necessary, breastfeeding should be discontinued.
