Ranitidine Side Effects

For the Consumer

Applies to ranitidine: oral solution, oral tablets and tablets for, oral tablets effervescent for solution, parenteral injection, parenteral injection for iv infusion only

Side effects include:

Oral or parenteral therapy: Headache, sometimes severe.

IM therapy: Transient pain at injection site.

IV therapy: Transient local burning or itching.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ranitidine: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral granule effervescent, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent

General

The most commonly reported side effect for IM administration was injection site pain, and the most commonly reported side effects with IV administration were localized pain and burning.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort/pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute pancreatitis, diarrhea^[Ref]

Abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea tended to improve with continued treatment.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension, chest pain, arrhythmia, bradycardia, atrioventricular block, tachycardia, premature ventricular beats
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Asystole, vasculitis^[Ref]

Bradycardia, atrioventricular block, tachycardia, and asystole have occurred in H2 receptor antagonists.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Insomnia, reversible mental confusion, agitation, depression, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Loss of libido^[Ref]

Nervous system

Headache may be related to administration of treatment.^[Ref]

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dizziness, somnolence, vertigo, reversible involuntary movement disorders
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Headache/severe headache^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Urticaria, angioneurotic edema, skin rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema multiforme, alopecia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Musculoskeletal symptoms, arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Transient and reversible changes in liver function tests, increased ALT levels
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatocellular/hepatocanalicular/mixed hepatitis with/without jaundice^[Ref]

Hepatitis with/without jaundice were usually reversible.

ALT levels increased to at least 2 times the pretreatment levels in patients receiving high IV doses for at least 5 days.^[Ref]

Other

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Fever, malaise
Frequency not reported: Death^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reactions
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic shock/anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Anaphylactic shock occurred after administration of a single dose.^[Ref]

Renal

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Elevation in serum creatinine
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute interstitial nephritis^[Ref]

Elevation in serum creatinine was usually slight, and typically normalized with continued treatment.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, pneumonia^[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Reversible blurred vision^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Blood count changes, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, marrow hypoplasia/aplasia
Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, immune hemolytic anemia/acquired immune hemolytic anemia, eosinophilia^[Ref]

Leukopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia were usually reversible.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Reversible impotence, breast symptoms/conditions, galactorrhea^[Ref]

Endocrine

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gynecomastia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Postmarketing reports: Acute porphyria^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection site pain, transient localized burning or itching^[Ref]

Some side effects of ranitidine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of materials provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.