The effects of low doses of ranitidine on intragastric acidity in healthy men

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synergy between low‐dose ranitidine and antacid in decreasing gastric and oesophageal acidity and relieving meal‐induced heartburn

Robinson

Rodriguez–Stanley

Ciociola

et al. 2001

“…The H 2 ‐receptor antagonist, ranitidine, inhibits gastric acid and fluid secretion in both basal and stimulated states, thereby increasing the pH and decreasing the volume of gastric contents available for reflux into the oesophagus 5 . The usual prescription doses of ranitidine are effective in relieving heartburn 6 and pharmacodynamic data indicate that lower doses of ranitidine may also be effective for the treatment of episodic heartburn 7 –9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low‐dose ranitidine for the relief of heartburn

Pappa

Gooch

Buaron

et al. 1999

The classic symptoms of episodic heartburn and regurgitation associated with over-indulgence are well known to a large segment of the population, and are the hallmark of gastro-oesophageal re¯ux disease (GERD).1 Approximately 30% of adults contacted in a large US survey reported having suffered heartburn, acid indigestion or sour stomach, common terms used with over-the-counter products, within the past month; more than 20% of these individuals reported experiencing heartburn at least once per day.2 Nearly all of the sufferers (93%) in the survey treated their symptoms with a non-prescription product.2 Most individuals with mild symptoms of gastro-oesophageal re¯ux are not seen by physicians, consistent with the iceberg analogy proposed by Castell, which suggests that the vast majority of individuals with GERD, having only mild and/or sporadic symptoms, primarily heartburn, are represented by the largest submerged portion of the iceberg.3 These particular individuals function well without medical intervention and are unlikely to discuss their symptoms with a physician. It is this population who consumes the largest portion of antacids. In SUMMARYBackground: Approximately 30% of adults in the USA suffer from heartburn or related symptoms monthly; more than 20% of these sufferers experience heartburn at least once per day. Although many rely on selfmedication with antacids for the relief of their symptoms, treatments that decrease gastric volume as well as increase the pH of re¯uxed material should be more effective in relieving heartburn. Aim: To compare the safety and ef®cacy of low-dose regimens of ranitidine for the relief of heartburn. Methods: Adults with at least a 3-month history of heartburn were eligible for this randomized, doubleblind, parallel group, multicentre dose-ranging study. Following a 1-week open-label run-in phase to document baseline heartburn frequency, subjects were randomized to receive treatment with one tablet of either ranitidine 75 mg (n 491), ranitidine 25 mg

“…15 Higher doses have proved to be effective in the treatment of Zollinger±Ellison syndrome and erosive oesophagitis. The capacity of ranitidine to successfully reduce gastric acid secretion at lower than prescription doses, 16 display ef®cacy in the treatment of heartburn, 17 and its favourable safety pro®le 18 led to its approval for non-prescription use in the relief of heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach in 1995. Subsequently, ranitidine 75 mg was shown to be effective in reducing heartburn symptoms when administered 60 min prior to a challenge meal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of the efficacy and safety of non‐prescription ranitidine 75 mg in the prevention of meal‐induced heartburn

Pappa

Williams

Payne

et al. 1999

Background : Ranitidine 75 mg (Zantac 75) has been shown to be effective for the treatment of pre‐existing heartburn symptoms. Aim : To compare the efficacy of dosing ranitidine 75 mg or placebo 30 min prior to a proven heartburn‐provoking meal in completely preventing or reducing subsequent heartburn symptoms. Methods : A randomized, double‐blind, parallel methodology was used at nine investigative centres. Following a screening visit, patients ate a standard test meal consisting of chilli, chips and a soft drink on two occasions. On the first occasion, patients received single‐blind placebo 30 min before the meal. This meal was used to qualify patients and to ensure the onset of a minimum level of heartburn. Patients who qualified were randomized (n = 284) to receive double‐blind ranitidine 75 mg or placebo 30 min before a second test meal administered 4–14 days later at the treatment visit. Patients recorded whether heartburn was present and rated heartburn severity by completing visual analogue scales at 15‐min intervals over the 4.5 h meal evaluation periods. Results : Statistically significant differences favouring ranitidine 75 mg were determined for complete prevention of heartburn (P < 0.006), heartburn severity area under the curve (P < 0.001), a clinical success end‐point (P < 0.001), and all other end‐points (P < 0.001). Conclusions : These data clearly demonstrate that ranitidine 75 mg is effective in completely preventing or decreasing heartburn when administered 30 min prior to a provocative meal.