What Does Ranitidine Do For Horses?

Ranitidine is used in horses to treat and prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcers. Omeprazole is the more commonly used drug for equine gastric ulcer disease (EGUD), but some clinicians feel that there is also a role for the histamine H2 receptor antagonists.

How much ranitidine can I give my horse?

Consult with a licensed veterinarian to determine whether ranitidine is appropriate for your horse. Your veterinarian will provide you with the correct dosage regimen to use. The recommended dose of oral ranitidine is 6.6 mg/kg of body weight given 3 times daily. It should be administered one hour before a meal.

What symptoms does ranitidine treat?

Over-the-counter ranitidine is used to prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. Ranitidine is in a class of medications called H₂ blockers. It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach.

What are the benefits of ranitidine?

Ranitidine is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It was used for indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD – this is when you keep getting acid reflux), and to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

What are 5 side effects of ranitidine?

Zantac side effects may include:

• Stomach pain.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Drowsiness.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Insomnia.

How do you tell if your horse has ulcers?

Signs that your Horse might have Ulcers

1. Poor Appetite. One of the most common signs of ulcers is the reluctance to finish meals or being a “picky eater”.
2. Weight Loss.
3. Poor Body Condition.
4. Poor Coat Condition.
5. Chronic Diarrhea.
6. Recurrent Colic.
7. Behavioral Changes.
8. Sensitivity in the Girth Area.

What is the difference between omeprazole and ranitidine?

Ranitidine and omeprazole have similar indications for use, but they are not the same. Ranitidine is a histamine type 2-receptor antagonist while omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. Both work to decrease stomach acid secretion, but they do with different mechanisms of action.

Does ranitidine work immediately?

The active ingredient, ranitidine, works by blocking a chemical called histamine. This reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. The drug starts to work in as little as 30 minutes. It can control acid production for up to 12 hours and reduce the frequency and severity of heartburn.

Why did they ban ranitidine?

The FDA has requested all ranitidine (Zantac) products be pulled from the market immediately. The recall includes all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine drugs as ongoing investigations uncovered levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, increase over time.

What are the most common side effects of ranitidine?

Side effects of Ranitidine include:

• headache.
• abdominal pain.
• agitation.
• hair loss.
• confusion.
• constipation.
• diarrhea.
• dizziness.

Is ranitidine an anti inflammatory?

Ranitidine showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in the four models used. This observation supports the concept that histamine has a pro-inflammatory role that is mediated via stimulation of H2-receptors.

Can ranitidine cause side effects?

Common ranitidine side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or. diarrhea, constipation.

Is ranitidine hard on kidneys?

Ranitidine has been receiving all kinds of negative attention in the press lately, and with good reason. It has been shown to increase consumers’ risk of developing both cancer and serious kidney disease.

What happens if you take ranitidine for too long?

Liver function and possible liver damage. Cardiovascular concerns including a heart rate that is too slow, too fast, or irregular. Vertigo. Meningitis and other brain-related complications.

Does ranitidine cause liver damage?

Ranitidine is a histamine type 2 receptor antagonist (H2 blocker) which is widely used for treatment of acid-peptic disease and heartburn. Ranitidine has been linked to rare instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

How long should ranitidine be taken?

Stop taking this medication and call your doctor promptly if your symptoms continue after you begin taking it, or if they do not improve after you have been taking this medication for 14 days in a row. Do not take this medication for more than 14 days in a row without talking with your doctor.

What is the best ulcer medicine for horses?

GastroGard (also known as omeprazole) is the only medication on the market in the United States that is FDA approved to treat squamous ulcers in horses. Omeprazole works to reduce the production of stomach acid by inhibiting a proton pump within the stomach that is responsible for secretion of stomach acid.

What should you not feed a horse with ulcers?

Feeding high starch and sugar concentrate feeds is not recommended for horses with EGUS. Instead, choose a feed that provides a higher proportion of calories from oil and fibre. You should split your feed into several small meals so that starch remains less than 1g starch per kg bodyweight per day.

What do vets use to treat ulcers in horses?

If squamous ulceration is diagnosed, the most commonly used treatment is a medication named Omeprazole which is given orally. This drug suppresses acid production and so allows the ulcers to heal. This medication should be given in the morning on an empty stomach with the horse not fed until 30-60 minutes after dosing.

Does ranitidine heal ulcers?

Ranitidine, given twice daily, increases the rate of healing of duodenal and gastric ulcers, irrespective of geographical location. The majority of ulcers (90-100%) heal after 2 months of treatment.

What is the closest drug to ranitidine?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told manufacturers to withdraw all prescription and OTC Zantac (ranitidine) from the market. The FDA has listed several Zantac alternatives. These include proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec and Nexium and other H2 blockers such as Pepcid and Tagamet.