Introduction

Name

• Ranitidine.
• Usually available and used as the hydrochloride salt, ranitidine hydrochloride.
• Ranitidine bismuth citrate also used in human medicine.

Class of drug

• Histamine (H2) receptor antagonist.

Description

Chemical name

• N[2-[[[5-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-2furanyl]methyl]thio]ethyl]-N'-methyl-2-nitro-1,1-ethenediamine.

Molecular formula

• C13H22N4O3S.

Molecular weight

• 350.87 g.

Physical properties

• White to pale yellow granular substance.
• Water soluble.
• Slightly bitter taste.
• Sulfur-like odor.

Storage requirements

• According to manufacturer's instructions.

Uses

Indications

• Indicated in rabbits as a useful prokinetic drug for the treatment of gut stasis.
• It may be a better option than metoclopramide   Metoclopramide  in young rabbits as it has been suggested that metoclopramide is only effective as a motility stimulant in adult rabbits.
• Cisapride   Cisapride  has been shown to potentiate the prokinetic effect of ranitidine at low doses but antagonize it at higher doses.
• Used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, including NSAID-induced ulceration.
• Used prophylactically to prevent stress ulcers.
• Adjunct therapy for reversing metabolic alkalosis.
• Treatment ofHelicobactergastritis in combination with antibiotics (in humans, dogs and cats).
• Immunomodulation.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Antacids, digoxin, ketoconazole or metoclopramide   Metoclopramide  : ranitidine may reduce their absorption or effect.
• Sucralfate: may reduce the absorption of ranitidine.

with diagnostic tests

• Little information available.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Khedr A (2008) Sensitive determination of ranitidine in rabbit plasma by HPLC with fluorescence detection. J Chromatog B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 862 (1-2), 175-180 PubMed.
• Koutsoviti-Papadopoulou M, Nikolaidis E, Batzias G C et al (2001) Synergistic and antagonistic pharmacodynamic interaction between ranitidine and cisapride: a study on the isolated rabbit intestine. Pharmacol Res 43 (4), 329-334 PubMed.
• Langer J C & Bramlett G (1997) Effects of prokinetic agents on ileal contractility in a rabbit model of gastroschisis. J Paediatric Surg 32 (4), 605-608 PubMed.
• Tamura J, Sato N, Ezaki H et al (1983) [Teratological study on ranitidine hydrochloride in rabbits.] J Toxicol Sci 8 (Suppl 1), 141-150 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• GlaxoSmithKline (2009) Zantac (ranitidine hydrochloride) Prescribing Information. Website: http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_zantac_pharmBP.pdf. Last accessed 18th April 2012.
• Saunders R A & Davies R R (2005) Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-1405115148
• Tennant B (1999) Based on Small Animal Formulary. 3rd edn. Cheltenham, BSAVA.