Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Ranitidine. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Ranitidine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Ranitidine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• changed sense of taste
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• nausea
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting
• weakness

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• blurred vision
• breast development (males)
• change of heartbeat (faster, slower, or irregular)
• confusion
• decreased sexual ability
• hair loss
• hallucination (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)
• increased frequency of infections
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash or Hives
• stomach pain

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Ranitidine.

Tablet

150 mg
Each round, white-to-off-white, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved "APO" on one side and "RAN" over "150" on the other side contains 150 mg of ranitidine (as the hydrochloride). Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polydextrose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, vanillin, and carnauba wax.

300 mg
Each capsule-shaped, white-to-off-white, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved "APO" on one side and "RAN" over "300" on the other side contains 300 mg of ranitidine (as the hydrochloride). Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polydextrose, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, vanillin, and carnauba wax.

Oral Solution
Every 10 mL of clear, peppermint-flavoured oral solution contains 168 mg of ranitidine hydrochloride (equivalent to 150 mg of ranitidine anhydrous free base per 10 mL oral solution). Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylparaben, hypromellose, peppermint oil, potassium phosphate, propylparaben, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic, and sorbitol solution.

Do not take Ranitidine if you:

• are allergic to ranitidine or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other H2-antagonist (e.g., Cimetidine, Famotidine)

There may be an interaction between ranitidine and any of the following:

• Amiodarone
• antacids (e.g., magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate; within 2 hours of taking ranitidine)
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole)
• cefuroxime
• clavulanic acid
• Cyclosporine
• delavirdine
• dexmethylphenidate
• Diltiazem
• Dronedarone
• Fluvastatin
• Glyburide
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir)
• iron salts (e.g., ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate)
• ledipasvir
• lumacaftor
• Mesalamine
• Metformin
• Methylphenidate
• midazolam
• Pentoxifylline
• Prasugrel
• procainamide
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Bosutinib, Dabrafenib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib, Pazopanib)
• quinidine
• quinine
• rilpivirine
• Risedronate
• St. John's wort
• Sucralfate
• Tacrolimus
• Varenicline
• velpatasvir
• Verapamil
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ranitidine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ranitidine.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Ranitidine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Ranitidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ranitidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pneumonia: People with lung disease, a weak immune system, or Diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing pneumonia while taking ranitidine. If you have any of these conditions, discuss with your doctor how Ranitidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Ranitidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Porphyria: Ranitidine may cause attacks of a condition called acute porphyria (a disorder that affects the production of heme in the body). People with a history of acute porphyria should not take ranitidine.

Stomach cancer: Using medications such as ranitidine may prevent symptoms of stomach cancer from being noticed. If you have recurrent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in the stool, significant unintentional weight loss, fatigue (Anemia), or are coughing up blood, check with your doctor right away. If you have heartburn that worsens or returns after using Ranitidine continuously for 2 weeks, check with your doctor.

Use with NSAIDs: If you are also taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen), your doctor should closely monitor your condition, especially if you are a senior or have a history of ulcers.

Pregnancy: Ranitidine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Ranitidine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Ranitidine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking ranitidine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Ranitidine have not been established for children less than 8 years of age. Children between the ages of 8 years and 16 years of age, should only use Ranitidine under the supervision of a doctor.

Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience interactions with other medications when taking ranitidine. If you are a senior, your doctor should closely monitor your condition.

Ranitidine belongs to the class of medications called H2-antagonists. Ranitidine is used to reduce the amount of acid secreted by the stomach in order to reduce ulcer and heartburn pain or to assist in healing of ulcers. It is used to treat stomach and duodenal (intestinal) ulcers, and prevent them from recurring. It is also used to treat GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

Prescription ranitidine is used to treat and prevent stomach ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); to prevent bleeding caused by stress ulcers for very ill people; to prevent a second episode of bleeding in the digestive tract caused by bleeding ulcers; and to prevent inhalation of stomach acid during surgery, for people who are considered at risk of this complication.

The over-the-counter form of ranitidine is used to treat conditions where a reduction of stomach acid is needed, such as acid indigestion, heartburn, or sour or upset stomach. It can also be used to prevent these symptoms when they are associated with eating food or drinking beverages.

Ranitidine may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Ranitidine may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Ranitidine may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Ranitidine for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Ranitidine, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Ranitidine without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Ranitidine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Ranitidine if their doctor has not prescribed it.