MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name:	Ranitidine
Trade Name:	Zantac
Action:	H2 Antagonist
Indications:	- Acute therapy of endoscopically or radiographically confirmed gastric or duodenal ulcers-management of hypersecretory conditions of the GI tract such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, etc.
Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dose and Route:	50 mg IVP or 50mg IV infusion every 8
Standard concentrations:	150mg/30ml
Precautions and Side Effects:	- Mild transient diarrhea - Urticaria, transient maculopapular rash - Headache, somnolence, confusion - Neutropenia (about 0.001% of patients)
Special Considerations:	- Dosage adjustments may be required in: geriatric patients renal failure hepatic failure - Inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzymes and the cytochrome p-450 system may result in dosage adjustments of other medications - Reduction of dose often will reduce the severity of confusion in elderly patients -Patients should be converted to oral therapy as soon as possible.

 

revised 09/03