I was prescribed Ranitidine 300mg 1x day-- ulcer. How long do I have to continue the drug therapy?

28 Dec 2011

In one study performed to assess the effectiveness of using ranitidine to treat duodenal ulcers (upper intestinal ulcers), 73% of people who took the medicine had healed ulcers after four weeks of treatment. Only 45% of people who were not taking it had their duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Another study looking at preventing duodenal ulcers from returning after healing found that 35% of people taking ranitidine had another duodenal ulcer within one year, compared to 59% of people not taking it.

In a study involving ranitidine and gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer) treatment, 68% of people taking the medication experienced healing within six weeks. Ulcers healed in 51% of people who were not on ranitidine. Studies have also shown that the medication can help prevent stomach ulcers from returning after they have healed.

The most common side effect reported has been headaches, maybe you should talk to the doc/pharmacist to discontinue ranitidine.

Take care, best wishes!