Ranitidine Alcohol Interaction

Ranitidine Alcohol

Ranitidine is the generic name which belong to a family of drugs known as histamine-2 blockers which function by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces and it is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines.

Also it treats conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid such as in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This drug also treats gastroesophageal reflux disease and other conditions in which acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus causing heartburn.

It is suggested that patients do not consume alcohol even moderate drinking while using this drug as the side effects may be greatly affected.

At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. If anything more than that it is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.

If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.

If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.

Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.

Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.

When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.

Before using this drug advise your doctor if you are allergic to any other drug or substance, if you are using dietary or herbal supplements, are pregnant, plan to be or are breastfeeding, have any heart problem symptoms such as chest pain spreading to the arm and shoulder, nausea, sweating and general ill feeling, have kidney disease, liver disease or porphyria.

Side Effects

Less serious side effects headache, drowsy, dizzy, insomnia, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficult orgasm, male swollen or tender breasts, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea oe constipation.. If these occur call your physician for advice.

Serious side effects are severe allergic reactions such as hives difficult breathing, tight chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, chest pain, fever, short of breath, coughing up mucous, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, irregular heart rate, vision problems, fever, sore throat, headache with severe blistering, peeling or red skin rash, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay coloured stools or jaundice. If these occur get emergency medical help.

This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.

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