Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using ranitidine as follows:
- Do not use this medication if you have history of allergy or serious side-effects to ranitidine or use of any other medication belonging to the group of H2 blockers, such as, cimetidine and famotidine.
- Ranitidine is significantly metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, metabolism of ranitidine could be slowed down. Slowing down of the drug metabolism can result in increased risk for compromised therapeutic benefits and side-effects with the medication.
- Ranitidine is significantly eliminated in urine, by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease and diminished renal function cannot eliminate ranitidine from their body normally, which allows the medication to be in the blood stream longer, thus increasing the risk for side-effects and toxicity with the medication.
- Ranitidine is carefully administered in individuals with compromised liver and renal function, with periodical evaluation of liver and kidney functions.
