Ranitidine+ondansetron
About Ranitidine+ondansetron
Ranitidine+ondansetron belongs to a group of medications called ‘gastrointestinal agent’ and ' anti-emetics'. It is primarily used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. GERD is a condition in which the valve (sphincter) located at the uppermost part of the stomach gets irritated and damaged due to excessive stomach acid production. As a result, stomach acid enters the food pipe, leading to stomach upset and heartburn. Heartburn is the post-effect of acid reflux with a burning-like feeling that rises from the stomach towards the neck. Nausea is an uneasy feeling in which a person feels an urge to vomit, while vomiting is the natural response to the body to discharge the stomach contents forcefully.
Ranitidine+ondansetron is a combination of two medicines: Ranitidine (antacid) and ondansetron (antiemetics). Ranitidine, which is an H2 blocker (antacid) which reduces the amount of acid in the stomach and helps relieve acid-related heartburn and indigestion. On the other hand, 'Ondansetron' works by blocking serotonin's action, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting. As a result, Ranitidine+ondansetron prevents the sensation of nausea and vomiting caused due to conditions like surgery, cancer chemotherapy, pregnancy or motion sickness.
Take Ranitidine+ondansetron as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Ranitidine+ondansetron for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. You may experience diarrhoea, headache, constipation, fatigue, drowsiness, dryness in the mouth, muscle pain and skin flushing. Most of these side effects of Ranitidine+ondansetron do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try to avoid caffeine-containing beverages (tea, coffee), spicy/deep fried/processed food, carbonated drinks, and acidic food like citrus fruits. Tell your doctor if you have allergic to Ranitidine+ondansetron, have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problem, or will have an endoscopy in the future. Tell your doctor if you are facing liver, kidney, or heart disorders. A pregnant woman should tell their doctor about their pregnancy as this medicine cannot be used in pregnancy as it may cause a birth deformity in children. Ranitidine+ondansetron could pass in breastfeeding milk so it should not be given to a woman who is breastfeeding her baby.
Uses of Ranitidine+ondansetron
Medicinal Benefits
Ranitidine+ondansetron is a combination of two medicines: Ranitidine (antacid), and ondansetron (antiemetics). It is primarily used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Ranitidine+ondansetron contains Ranitidine which helps reduce the excess amount of stomach acid. In turn, it prevents the formation of an ulcer in the stomach (peptic ulcer) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with or without an ulcer. On the other hand, Ranitidine+ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, pregnancy and motion sickness in adults and children above four years of age. When serotonin level increases in the blood, it stimulates the CTZ receptor (chemoreceptor trigger zone) located in the brain responsible for controlling nausea and vomiting. Ranitidine+ondansetron acts by inhibiting the release of this serotonin, thereby preventing nausea and vomiting.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ranitidine+ondansetron
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Muscle pain
- Flushing of skin.
Drug Warnings
You should avoid taking Ranitidine+ondansetron if you are allergic to Ranitidine+ondansetron. Before taking Ranitidine+ondansetron, inform your doctor if you have stomach cancer, diabetes, or liver disease. People with an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and phenylketonuria (too much protein phenylalanine in the blood) should not take Ranitidine+ondansetron as it may cause severe conditions. A pregnant woman should tell their doctor about their pregnancy as this medicine cannot be used in pregnancy as it may cause a birth deformity in children. Ranitidine+ondansetron could pass in breastfeeding milk, so it should not be given to a woman who is breastfeeding her baby. Ranitidine+ondansetron contains lactose so tell your doctor if you have an intolerance to some sugars.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ranitidine+ondansetron may interact with medicines for heart disease (amiodarone), pain killers (tramadol), antifungal medicines (clotrimazole), and antidiabetic medicines (metformin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Drinking alcohol and nicotine (tobacco) with Ranitidine+ondansetron may cause dehydration and elevate stomach acid levels, thereby decreasing its efficacy.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Ranitidine+ondansetron should not be given in patients with gastric bleeding, liver/ kidney disease, low vitamin B12 (anaemia), hypokalemia (low potassium) and depression.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeOne should avoid consuming alcohol while taking Ranitidine+ondansetron as this medicine can interact with alcohol and may worsen the side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeRanitidine+ondansetron is not allowed to use in pregnancy as Ranitidine+ondansetron can seriously affect the fetus or unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionRanitidine+ondansetron contains Ondansetron that can pass into breast milk, so a lactating mother should tell their doctor before taking this medicine.
Driving
cautionRanitidine+ondansetron may cause dizziness, low blood pressure, headache, drowsiness as a side effect. A person taking Ranitidine+ondansetron should avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery or tasks requiring mental alertness.
Liver
cautionIf you have or had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Ranitidine+ondansetron.
Kidney
cautionIf you have or had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Ranitidine+ondansetron.
Children
safe if prescribedFor children, Ranitidine+ondansetron is used safely and effectively. The dose needs to be adjusted and recommended by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of acid or heartburn triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat and spicy foods.
- Before going to sleep, try to raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows, instead, one raised block is fine. This will not allow the stomach acid to backflow through your food pipe.
- Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter), preventing backflow of the stomach acid back into the food pipe.
- A person should take a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry, nuts, fish, whole grains, plant-based oils and low-fat dairy products will help to keep a person in good health and avoid chances of nausea and vomiting.
- One should avoid taking greasy or oily foods as this food triggers nausea and vomit.
- Eat cool foods instead of hot and spicy foods.
- Include clear broths, non-fat yoghurt, fruit juice, sherbet, and sports drinks for fluid make up which has got lost due to vomiting.
Special Advise
- Regular blood pressure monitoring is advised as the use of Ranitidine+ondansetron may cause bradycardia and cardiac arrest.
- Should inform your doctor if you have Serotonin Syndrome.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A gastrointestinal problem occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus (food pipe). This acid reflux (backflow) irritates the food pipe that causes heartburn.
Heartburn: The post effect of acid reflux with a burning-like feeling rises from the stomach towards the neck.
Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that may come and go in waves in which a person feels a strong urge to vomit. It happens before vomiting. While vomiting is a natural response of the body, a person wants to expel stomach contents from the mouth forcefully. It can be triggered by taste, anxiety, smell, pain or irritation to the stomach.
FAQs
No, Ranitidine+ondansetron prevents excess production of stomach acid, causing acid reflux and heartburn. If blood is coming in your stool or mucous, immediately contact the doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are facing severe constipation as after checking your condition, the doctor will decide that you can take this medicine or not.
Ranitidine+ondansetron may cause dizziness, low blood pressure, headache, and drowsiness as a side effect. So, one should avoid driving or operating any machine that requires mental alertness.
Ranitidine+ondansetron may have some serious side effects, but these are rare. These side effects may include hives, skin rash, itching and difficulty breathing. Inform your doctor in case you notice any of these side effects.
Ranitidine+ondansetron may pass into a mother's milk, so mothers who are taking Ranitidine+ondansetron should not breastfeed their child. A woman should tell their doctor if they are breastfeeding mother.
No, Ranitidine+ondansetron does not have any addictive effects.