Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using ranitidine as follows:
- A number of vitamins and supplements need acid environment in the stomach, to get absorbed into the body. Acid in the stomach is needed for activation of enzymes needed for digestion of food. Ranitidine use is discouraged in severely malnourished individuals, as the medication compromises the acid environment in the stomach needed for digestion and absorption of nutrients, thus complicating the malnourishment.
- Some supplements and medications, such as, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, some anti-HIV medications, and blood thinners like Plavix need acid environment for their absorption and activity. Ranitidine, by reducing the acid environment in the stomach, reduces the absorption of these drugs and thereby, compromises the therapeutic benefits of these medications.
- Ranitidine use is contraindicated or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of porphyria, as it carries the risk of precipitating an acute attack of the same.
