One of the most common ills of our time is an upset stomach . Most of us have suffered it from time to time, either after a large or spicy meal, after taking certain medications or even due to stress.
However, between 5% and 10% of the population suffer from it in its most serious form: peptic ulcer. In this case, open wounds form in the stomach and beginning of the intestine that cause a lot of pain to the patient and that need to be treated. And one of the drugs used for this is ranitidine , which we will talk about in this article.
Ranitidine is a drug that is used to treat stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux, in which gastric acid rises to the esophagus because the valve that separates both compartments does not close properly.
Ranitidine is a drug that reduces gastric acid production in the stomach. This acid is important to digest food well, but if there are ulcers in the stomach or there is a reflux into the esophagus, it causes a lot of pain.
Ranitidine’s mechanism of action is to block H2 receptors, being similar to histamine, a molecule that normally binds to them. Thus, it binds to receptors without activating them and ensures that the parietal cells of the stomach do not produce more hydrochloric acid, reducing discomfort in the patient. In addition, it also stimulates the secretion of mucus in the stomach, which protects the walls against acid.
This drug is quite specific, which means that it does not block other similar molecules. This reduces the number and severity of side effects.
In Spain, ranitidine is sold by prescription, both as a generic and under various brand names. However, in other countries such as the United States (USA), it can also be purchased without a prescription, only in the lowest doses. It is usually taken in the form of oral tablets, although it is also available intravenously.
Its side effects are few and when they do occur they are usually temporary and mild; they can occur in a small percentage of the people who take it. There are patients who are allergic to ranitidine and may experience itching, swelling, a rash, in addition to other unwanted effects.
On the other hand, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain can occur if this drug is not well tolerated. Inflammation of the liver or pancreas, jaundice, or increased transaminases have been reported very rarely. If symptoms such as fever, pain, confusion, dizziness or vomiting appear, the treatment must be stopped and the doctor must be contacted.
In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration , the agency that deals with food and drug safety, detected very low amounts of nitrosamines, potentially carcinogenic substances, in ranitidine. At that time, drugs were withdrawn from the market for safety, and today safety has been increased, in such a way that only those laboratories that have passed the tests can manufacture the product.
Right now, ranitidine is a totally safe and very useful product for treating common ailments such as stomach ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux. If you have an upset stomach, it is best to consult your doctor; They will do the pertinent tests to find out what it is due to, and will prescribe the drug that best suits your condition.
