As is the case with any other medication, there may be some instances where ranitidine (Zantac) interactions can occur. In such cases, use is not recommended or usage will have to be adjusted in order to prevent or reduce the risk of negative interactions occurring from other drugs, medical conditions, or even food and drink.
Drug Interactions
According to the FDA, drugs that may interact with this medication include the following.
- Triazolam
- Warfarin
- Ketoconazole
- There are many other drug interactions some more minor than others
Please note that this list may not be complete, and other interactions with drugs not listed here may occur.
Synthroid
There are no clear interactions between levothyroxine (Synthroid), a synthetic thyroid hormone, and Zantac. Those taking levothyroxine, however, should be careful not to take the medication with any other. That can affect the levels of the hormone in the blood.
Antidepressants
Although there are no listed interactions between ranitidine and antidepressants, taking this medication with antidepressants may affect how well they work.
Pepto Bismol
There are no reported interactions between Pepto Bismol, a drug used to treat stomach upset and diarrhea, and ranitidine. However, they are both designed to do the same thing â relieve heartburn, so taking them together may be redundant.
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) is an antifungal medication. Taking these two medications together might affect how well the ketoconazole is absorbed.
Famotidine
Famotidine (Pepcid) is a medication that reduces stomach acid and has almost an identical mechanism of action as ranitidine.
Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC)
Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor used to treat stomach ulcers and GERD. Although there are no reported interactions, these two medications treat similar issues. It would be wise to check with a doctor before taking them together.
Antacids
Antacids like tums or other over the counter medications neutralize stomach acid while ranitidine inhibits its production. It is possible to take an antacid to provide relief while waiting for the ranitidine to work unless a doctor says otherwise.
Food Interactions
There are no known food interactions with ranitidine.
Ranitidine and Alcohol
For more information, please visit our page on ranitidine and alcohol interactions.
Vitamins
There is no evidence that ranitidine interacts with vitamin supplements.
Disease & Conditions Interactions
Sometimes certain medications can increase the risk of negative side effects for patients with certain diseases or other medical conditions. According to the FDA, diseases and medical conditions that are known to interact negatively with ranitidine include:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Porphyria
- Weakened immune system
Please note that this list may not be complete, and there may be other diseases and medical conditions where patients should not take this medication.
Ranitidine and Pregnancy
For more information, please visit our page on ranitidine and pregnancy risks.
Kidney Disease
The body excretes ranitidine through the kidneys. For those with kidney disease, the drug may build up in the blood.
Breast Cancer
Studies have linked ranitidine with breast cancer. In September of 2019, the Food and Drug Administration reported Zantac might contain a cancer-causing impurity. In April of 2020, they asked the manufacturer to recall their product.
Bladder Cancer
That same carcinogen might increase a person’s risk of developing bladder cancer.
Other Interactions
Other potential interactions include the following.
Smoking
Smoking is known to aggravate peptic ulcers. Although ranitidine treats these ulcers, there is no evidence that smoking interferes with the medication.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
