Calming Stomach Acid And Treating Ulcers

Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum are constantly damaged by stomach acid, making symptoms worse; ranitidine can reduce stomach acid production and enable ulcers to heal.

Excess stomach acid may cause dyspepsia, heartburn and mild acid reflux but serious problems such as stomach ulcers can develop over time without prompt treatment. Ranitidine hydrochloride, also called ranitidine HCl, is often the drug of choice. It can also treat new and established stomach and duodenal ulcers.

How do ulcers form?

Although it is commonly believed that the stress of everyday life causes stomach ulcers, it does not, although severe stress can make ulcers worse as it increases stomach acid secretion. Worldwide, the underlying cause of more than 80% of stomach ulcers is an infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Treating the H. pylori infection with a combination of ranitidine, clarithromycin and bismuth usually cures these types of stomach ulcer.

Many people in the UK are among the remaining 20%, whose stomach ulcers are not related to H. pylori infection. Their ulcers are more usually caused by regular use of aspirin or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Taking these painkillers over a long period for osteoarthritis can damage the wall of the stomach and intestine, allowing stomach acid in and causing an ulcer. This type of ulcer is normally treated by ranitidine alone.

How does ranitidine work?

Ranitidine is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. It blocks the H2 histamine receptor involved in the production of stomach acid, reducing acid secretion to very low levels. This protects the tissues of the stomach and duodenum from further damage and allows them to recover. Ranitidine treatment reduces pain and other stomach ulcer symptoms within days and enables healing within four to six weeks.

Ranitidine and GERD

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) responds well to ranitidine treatment, which prevents further damage to the oesophagus by stopping the acid reflux completely.

Patients with GERD whose oesophagus has already been affected badly by acid may have physical difficulties swallowing tablets. If the nerves that help control some of the movements involved in swallowing are damaged, patients often report getting ranitidine tablets 'stuck'. This can cause much pain and distress. Liquid ranitidine is much easier to take and has a cooling minty flavour. The syrup can also be substituted for tablets in people who have a psychological problem with swallowing pills.

Who else can ranitidine help?

Ranitidine is also useful for other conditions associated with excess stomach acid:

Post operative ulcer - although everyday stress is unlikely to induce an ulcer on its own, severe physiological stress, such as major surgery, can. It is therefore common for surgical patients to take ranitidine as a precaution to prevent ulcers forming during their period of recovery. Liquid ranitidine is useful if the patient is very weak and finds taking tablets difficult.

Gastric tumours - some gastric tumours cause a massive over production of stomach acid. The tumour needs specialist treatment but ranitidine can reduce the amount of acid present, limiting tissue damage and ensuring that the anti-cancer treatment is as effective as possible.