Ranitidine refers to the pharmacological group of organotropic agents that inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid, thereby reducing acidity and excessive gastric juice. Ranitidine, as well as analogues of the drug, refers to prescription drugs and is used exclusively for the doctor's prescription.
Indications for use
Ranitidine and its analogs are prescribed:
- with peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract and hypersecretion of gastric juice;
- as a prophylaxis for recurrences of gastric bleeding;
- with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (pancreatic adenoma);
- for prophylaxis and therapy of postoperative ulcers;
- before surgery under general anesthesia to prevent aspiration of gastric juice.
How to replace Ranitidine?
The use of ranitidine often leads to side effects, including:
- dizziness and headache;
- nausea and vomiting;
- arrhythmia;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- rash;
- alopecia (baldness);
- hepatic insufficiency , etc.
The risk of cardiotoxic effects is especially high in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Ranitidine has a lot of contraindications. These include:
- age up to 14 years;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- impaired renal and hepatic function;
- hypersensitivity to the drug.
It is also important before the initiation of Ranitidine therapy to exclude the presence of a malignant tumor in the gastrointestinal tract.
In connection with a rather large number of side effects and contraindications for patients who are prescribed a drug, the actual question is: What can replace Ranitidine? The most known analog of ranitidine is famotidine. Referring to the opinion of medical professionals, we will try to find out what is better - Ranitidine or Famotidine.
As experts note, there is no exact scientific evidence that any of the drugs-H2-histamin blockers are better than others. Drugs that have approximately the same effect with ranitidine:
- Famotidine;
- Nisatidine;
- Cimetidine.
If you compare the two most popular drugs - Ranitidine and Famotidine, it is believed that the effect of the latter is longer, there is also information that Famotidine has fewer side effects. The cost is lower for Ranitidine.
Concerning the use of cimetidine, you need to know: collected evidence that the drug can cause a decrease in sexual potency in men.