Taking Ranitidine for heartburn - how right?

In some cases, doctors recommend using Ranitidine for heartburn. Despite the fact that this medicine is dispensed in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, it's not recommended to start taking it yourself. Ranitidine

relates to second generation blockers H2-receptor reduces secretion of digestive juices and hydrochloric acid, thereby contributing to the elimination of heartburn and acute pain in the stomach. Ranitidine

improves the quality of mucus produced stomach without increasing its secretion, promotes healing of erosive-ulcerous gastric mucosal damage, does not inhibit the production of digestive enzymes liver.

Initially, the drug was developed to treat peptic ulcer disease, but in modern medicine it is also used to relieve heartburn and inflammation in other gastrointestinal diseases.

Indications

Ranitidine preparation is not emergency neutralization of gastric juice acidity, ie, apply it periodically to get rid of heartburn, can not...

Ranitidine is a drug that has a persistent effect on the acid-base balance of the stomach, blocking the secretion of hydrochloric acid and neutralizing pepsin.

The attending physician prescribes the drug at a certain dosage, recommends a regimen( usually at night) and concomitant medications if necessary.

Ranitidine is prescribed for the following diseases:

• indigestion - a violation of the normal activity of the stomach, manifests with pain after eating, a feeling of heaviness, rapid satiety;
• peptic ulcer - an acute inflammatory process with violation of the integrity of the mucosa, manifested with acute pain after eating, heartburn;
• peptic ulcer of the duodenum - inflammation of the mucosa of this organ, manifested by pain 1,5-2 hours after eating, heartburn, eructation;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease - malfunction of the cardiac sphincter( jumper between the stomach and esophagus), causing the contents of the stomach often gets into the esophagus and irritate. The disease manifests itself with frequent eructations, heartburn after eating;
• pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas, manifested by acute pain in the right or left hypochondrium, vomiting, dizziness, stool disorder;
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome - adenoma of the pancreas, prolonged manifested intense pain in the upper abdomen, frequent heartburn and eructation acidic diarrhea.

Ranitidine helps with heartburn caused by prolonged intake of anti-inflammatory drugs, or chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

Injection Ranitidine used in acute bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract and to prevent damage to the esophageal mucosa during general anesthesia.

In small doses Ranitidine may be prescribed for the prevention of seasonal exacerbation of peptic ulcer.

Ranitidine is strictly prohibited for use during lactation and pregnancy. Children after 12 years of age are appointed in cases of acute necessity, for example, if oral medication is not possible.

Adult use should be strictly under the supervision of a physician, since side effects may occur.

Side effects of

Ranitidine is a blocker of H2-receptors of the second generation. From modern drugs( the fifth generation) is characterized by the presence of a large number of side effects, especially with prolonged use.

Most adverse reactions are reversible with timely withdrawal from Ranitidine, but in severe cases, serious deviations may develop, and in the presence of concomitant diseases, a fatal outcome.

Immediately consult a doctor if the following adverse reactions occur:

• malfunction of the central nervous system: dizziness, visual impairment, drowsiness, noise or buzz in the ears, headache, aching muscles and joints, depression or nervous irritation, hallucinations;
• dysfunction of the digestive organs: vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, pain of various localizations, dry mouth;
• cardiovascular system dysfunction: pressure drops, palpitation, arrhythmia, chest discomfort;
• allergic reactions: swelling, irritation, redness, itching, a feeling of suffocation or lack of air.

Prolonged intake of Ranitidine may contribute to changes in blood composition, impaired potency, development of pancreatitis, hepatitis and other liver diseases, tachycardia, etc.

Recommended dosage

Ranitidine intake regimen and exact dosage are selected in each case individually. It is necessary to take into account the reasons for prescribing the drug, general health, individual characteristics of the body and lifestyle.

Ranitidine may interact with other medications or significantly impair their effectiveness, so when prescribing the drug, tell your doctor about the continued or periodic intake of any other medication.

When an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum is exacerbated, the recommended daily dosage is 300 mg.

This amount of Ranitidine is enough to stop acute pain and relieve heartburn. Take the pill usually before going to bed or twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

On the recommendation of a doctor, the dosage can be increased, but should not exceed 450 mg.

To prevent peptic ulcer disease, especially in spring and autumn, Ranitidine is prescribed a course of 150 mg per day, preferably at bedtime, for 45 days.

To neutralize pain and heartburn in pancreatic diseases, daily administration of 300 mg of Ranitidine is also prescribed, the maximum allowed dosage is 900 mg. It is recommended to take the drug 2-3 times a day.

If you can not manage the pain and heartburn, then consult a doctor. An independent increase in dosage can cause a side effect or exacerbate the course of the disease.

Signs of an overdose of

For prolonged use and exceeding the recommended dosage of ranitidine, an acute reaction may develop.

Symptoms of overdose include headache and dizziness, a bradycardia( a sharp decrease in heart rate to 30-50 beats per minute), heart rhythm disturbance, confusion, hallucinations, etc.

Video:

If one or more signs of dizziness occur, First aid ».

For first aid, it is necessary to wash the stomach: give the patient to drink 1 - 1.5 liters of warm boiled water with the addition of a small amount of baking soda or 2-3 crystals of potassium permanganate.

Then you need to take a drug that helps to remove poisons from the body( activated carbon or any adsorbent).