Ranitidine side effects

List of side effects
Somnolence Dizziness Cholesterol/Triglycerides

Somnolence
In US controlled studies, somnolence was reported in 54% of patients treated with Ranitidine, compared to 18% for placebo and 60% for amitriptyline. In these studies, somnolence resulted in discontinuation for 10.4% of Ranitidine-treated patients, compared to 2.2% for placebo. It is unclear whether or not tolerance develops to the somnolent effects of Ranitidine. Because of Ranitidine's potentially significant effects on impairment of performance, patients should be cautioned about engaging in activities requiring alertness until they have been able to assess the drug’s effect on their own psychomotor performance (see Information for Patients). Return to top

Dizziness
In US controlled studies, dizziness was reported in 7% of patients treated with Ranitidine, compared to 3% for placebo and 14% for amitriptyline. It is unclear whether or not tolerance develops to the dizziness observed in association with the use of Ranitidine. Increased Appetite/Weight Gain In US controlled studies, appetite increase was reported in 17% of patients treated with Ranitidine, compared to 2% for placebo and 6% for amitriptyline. In these same trials, weight gain of ≥ 7% of body weight was reported in 7.5% of patients treated with mirtazapine, compared to 0% for placebo and 5.9% for amitriptyline. In a pool of premarketing US studies, including many patients for long-term, open label treatment, 8% of patients receiving Ranitidine discontinued for weight gain. Return to top

Cholesterol/Triglycerides
In US controlled studies, nonfasting cholesterol increases to ≥ 20% above the upper limits of normal were observed in 15% of patients treated with Ranitidine, compared to 7% for placebo and 8% for amitriptyline. In these same studies, nonfasting triglyceride increases to ≥ 500 mg/dL were observed in 6% of patients treated with mirtazapine, compared to 3% for placebo and 3% for amitriptyline. Return to top