Ranitidine Hydrochloride (Gastric Antisecretory)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Ranitidine HCl?

Answer 1

Zantac

Question 2

What are the available tablets doses for Zantac?

Answer 2

150mg & 300mg

Question 3

What are the available dosages in Ranitidine HCl syrup?

Answer 3

15mg/mL

Question 4

What are the available dosages in Zantac 25mg/mL?

Answer 4

25mg/mL

Question 5

Which doses are available without prescription?

Answer 5

75mg & 150mg tablets

Question 6

What dose of Ranitidine is used when indicated for short term treatment of active duodenal ulcer?

Answer 6

150mg BID or 300mg HS (oral)

50mg IM or IV Q6-8H (Parenteral)

Question 7

What dose of Zantac is used when indicated for the maintenance therapy following acute duodenal ulcer?

Answer 7

150mg HS

Question 8

What dose of Ranitidine HCl is used when indicated for short-term treatment of active, benign gastric ulcers, treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions, maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Answer 8

Oral: 150mg BID
Parenteral: 50mg IV or IM every 6-8 hours

Question 9

What dose of Zantac is used when indicated for the treatment of erosive esophagitis?

Answer 9

150mg QID

Question 10

What dose of ranitidine is given when used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers?

Answer 10

2-4mg/kg given orally BID (Max. 300mg/day)

2-4mg/kg given ONCE daily for maintenance (150mg/day)

Question 11

What dose of Zantac is used when treating pediatric GERD & erosive esophagitis in pediatric patients?

Answer 11

2-5mg PO BID. (maximum of 150mg/day)

Question 12

What are the adverse effects of Zantac?

Answer 12

Headache, dizziness, constipation, & nausea. A rare adverse effect is abdominal pain.

Question 13

What should the RPh tell the patient taking Ranitidine HCl?

Answer 13

• May be taken with food or milk if GI upset occurs
• Complete full course of therapy unless otherwise directed
• Do not freeze syrup
  If dose is missed take ASAP. If almost time for the next dose, skip the next dose and return to normal dosing.

Question 14

What are the drug interactions of Zantac?

Answer 14

May decrease Warfarin & lidocaine clearance.
May increase absorption of triazolam.
May decrease metabolism of nifedipine & tricyclic antidepressants.

Question 15

What are the contraindications of Ranitidine HCl?

Answer 15

• Use with caution in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function.
• Dosage adjustments should be made in patients with impaired renal function.
• Reversible hepatitis has occurred during ranitidine therapy.
• Use caution in pregnancy & nursing.
• Pregnancy Category B

Question 16

What is the mechanism of action of Zantac?

Answer 16

Competitively and reversibly inhibits histamine at the H2 receptors, including receptors on gastric cells.