Ranitidine: what it was, why it was pulled, and what to try instead

Ranitidine was a common medicine for heartburn, GERD and stomach ulcers. It belonged to a group called H2 blockers and worked by cutting down stomach acid. Many people used it for years because it was cheap and fast-acting. But in 2019–2020 regulators found unacceptable levels of a chemical called NDMA in some ranitidine products, and many countries pulled it from the market.

What happened to ranitidine?

Tests found N‑Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in certain ranitidine batches. NDMA can form during storage and may increase with time and heat. Because NDMA is linked to cancer in high doses over long periods, agencies like the FDA and EMA asked manufacturers to recall ranitidine until the risk was clear. That means most branded and generic ranitidine you’d buy today has been withdrawn or is no longer recommended.

If you still have ranitidine at home, don’t panic. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about stopping it and switching to a safer option. Don’t try to buy ranitidine from unknown online sellers — some lists still show it, but quality and safety aren’t guaranteed.

Side effects, dosing, and interactions — the quick facts

Common side effects people reported with ranitidine included headache, constipation, diarrhea and dizziness. Serious reactions were rare but included liver enzyme changes and allergic reactions.

Typical adult dosing used to be 150 mg twice daily for GERD or 300 mg at bedtime for some ulcer cases. Children’s doses varied by weight. If you have kidney problems, doses often needed adjusting. Ranitidine could affect how other drugs absorb, especially medicines that rely on stomach acid. Always check with a clinician before stopping or swapping medicines.

Because ranitidine is largely off the shelves, pay attention to your symptoms. If you have new or worsening belly pain, bleeding, trouble swallowing, or unexplained weight loss, seek medical help right away.

Safe alternatives and practical tips

Famotidine (Pepcid) is an H2 blocker that’s widely used as a direct replacement and hasn’t shown the same NDMA issue. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or esomeprazole reduce acid more strongly and are better for chronic or severe reflux. For occasional heartburn, antacids give fast relief. Your doctor can recommend the right choice based on your condition, other meds, and health history.

If you buy medicines online, use licensed pharmacies, look for a real address and pharmacist contact, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true. Keep records of prescriptions and discuss any switch with your healthcare provider so dosing and interactions are checked.

If you were on ranitidine, make a simple plan: stop using any recalled stock, contact your prescriber, and switch to an approved alternative. That keeps your symptoms controlled without taking unnecessary risks.