Ranitidine (or more properly ranitidine HCL) is a
Histomine H2 antagonist. Its primary effect is to slow down acid production in the
stomach. This makes it ideal treatment for
GERD and some other
stomach problems.
Ranitidine is the generic name for the drug which was originally sold under the name Zantac. When sold over the counter, its recomended dose is usually 75 mg, however when prescribed, 150 mg is more common.
The action of ranitidine is actually blocked by antacids. This is annoying, because antacids take away existing acid, whereas ranitidine only stops future acid production (thus not releiving the immediate problem. It is because of this that it is recomended to wait half an hour after ingestion of antacids to take ranitidine.