Ranitidine instructions for administration

Instructions for Administration
Elderly and Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment Maintenance/Extended Treatment Switching Patients To or From a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor

Elderly and Patients with Renal or Hepatic Impairment
The clearance of mirtazapine is reduced in elderly patients and in patients with moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment. Consequently, the prescriber should be aware that plasma mirtazapine levels may be increased in these patient groups, compared to levels observed in younger adults without renal or hepatic impairment. Return to top

Maintenance/Extended Treatment
It is generally agreed that acute episodes of depression require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode. Systematic evaluation of Ranitidine has demonstrated that its efficacy in major depressive disorder is maintained for periods of up to 40 weeks following 8–12 weeks of initial treatment at a dose of 15–45 mg/day. Based on these limited data, it is unknown whether or not the dose of Ranitidine needed for maintenance treatment is identical to the dose needed to achieve an initial response. Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment and the appropriate dose for such treatment. ''Return to top'

Switching Patients To or From a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor
At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of an MAOI and initiation of therapy with Ranitidine. In addition, at least 14 days should be allowed after stopping Ranitidine before starting an MAOI. ''Return to top'