Ranitidine: recent regulatory issues

Ranitidine is histamine 2 receptor blocker which became commercial in 1981 as an antacid by Glaxosmithkline Pharamceuticals by the brand name of Zantac in various formulations. The drug accelerated in the market as amongst most commonly used drug for peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux and sooner than later it became available as an over-the-counter drug in 1996 for adults and children. Ranitidine’s mechanism of action involves competitive block of histamine 2 receptor leading to decrease cAMP formation which reduces acid secretion from parietal cells of stomach thereby healing the peptic ulcer.