Ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist, also known as an H2 blocker. It works by reducing the amount of stomach acid your body produces.

It was commonly used to treat and prevent conditions such as:

• Peptic ulcers: Sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: A rare condition where the stomach produces too much acid.
• Heartburn: A burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid reflux.

Ranitidine was available over-the-counter and by prescription.

Important Note: In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, in ranitidine products. As a result, ranitidine products were recalled and are no longer available in the United States. ^[1]