Ranitidine
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Ranitidine during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(rah-nit-a-deen)
Description:
This medicine lowers stomach acid. It is in a group often called “H2 blockers,” meaning it blocks a body signal that tells the stomach to make acid.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Zantac®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- No veterinary-labeled forms are listed.
- For people:
- Oral capsules in 150 mg and 300 mg
- Oral tablets in 75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg
- Oral syrup (liquid) in 15 mg per mL
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions and does not replace medical guidance. If you need more details or have questions, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine is used to treat and help prevent stomach sores (ulcers) and problems where stomach contents come back up (reflux).
- It usually works best when given before the first meal of the day. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting the dose on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If throwing up continues, contact your veterinarian.
- Ranitidine tablets can be bought without a prescription (over the counter). Only give it to your animal if your veterinarian has told you to.
How is this medication useful for ranitidine for pets?
Ranitidine for pets is used for stomach sores (ulcers) and reflux problems by lowering how much acid the stomach makes. It may also be used to help the stomach empty or to encourage movement in the intestines.
This medicine is approved for people, but it is not officially approved for animals. In some situations, the rules allow veterinarians to prescribe medicines like this for animals or for conditions not listed on the human label. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is being used.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together on the safest plan.
Ranitidine can affect, or be affected by, other medicines. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including:
- medicines
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
- treats
Include how much you give and when you give each one.
Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
If your animal has had the same problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used before and whether it helped or did not help.
If your animal is pregnant, could become pregnant, or is nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine. Ranitidine can pass into the milk of a nursing mother, so it is recommended not to use it while the animal is nursing.
Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past bad reactions to medicines, including:
- allergy-type reactions
- not wanting to eat
- loose stools (diarrhea)
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine should begin to act within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see the effect just by watching your animal. Your veterinarian may need to do additional tests to check whether it is working as intended.
The effect does not last long. It generally stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effect may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver do not work as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
If your animal fits any of the situations listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible benefits compared with the possible risks.
- Animals that have had an allergy-type reaction to ranitidine or to similar medicines in the past (for example, cimetidine or famotidine).
- Animals with kidney problems.
- Animals that are nursing.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Ranitidine taken by mouth is usually handled well by both dogs and cats. If you notice any unusual signs that seem connected to this medicine, contact your veterinarian.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much ranitidine is not often dangerous, but larger amounts can cause issues. If you know or suspect your animal received more than prescribed, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
To get the intended effect, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian directed. Do not split or crush tablets unless your veterinarian or pharmacist has told you to do so. Always read the prescription label to confirm you are giving the correct medicine in the correct way.
- Ranitidine is usually given about 30 minutes before a meal, most often before the first meal of the day.
- If your animal vomits or seems sick when it is given on an empty stomach, give it with the meal instead.
- If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure it with care.
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to reduce stress during medicine time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time depending on the situation.
- Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished.
- Before you stop giving this medicine, speak with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, skip it and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not give two doses at once and do not give an extra dose.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved container meant for organizing doses (such as a pill minder).
- Store it at room temperature and keep it out of direct sunlight.
- Liquid forms must be stored exactly as directed, and you should throw them away by the discard date shown on the prescription label.
- Keep this medicine away from children and from animals.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching trash
- put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks
- then place it in the household trash
Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Do not give ranitidine, or any other over-the-counter medicine, to your animal unless you have checked with your veterinarian first.
- Do not change from one form to another (such as capsule, tablet, or liquid) without speaking with a veterinarian or pharmacist first, because the dose may not match.
- Some animal competitions may not allow use of this medicine.
- Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”