A 60-year-old member asked:
Why are doctors recommending Zantac (ranitidine) for an allergic reaction or hives?
1 doctor answer
Dr. Peter Kurzweil answered
49 years experience in Internal Medicine
Good question: Hives (or urticaria) represent a sensitivity to something dilating the small vessels under the skin, causing a raised pink lesion; if u press on it, it will blanch, let it go it pinks up again. Many causes: foods, chemicals, perfumes, very often stress. Stress can increase acid formation in stomach, Zantac (ranitidine) reduces it. Over 50% of time, one can't find cause. I treat initially c antihistamines.
Answered on Aug 9, 2019
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1 comment
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1 thank
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis commented
37 years experience in Family Medicine
possibly because it is a histamine H2-receptor blocker
Feb 3, 2012
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A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Al Hegab answered
39 years experience in Allergy and Immunology
Yes: the use of second generation antihistamines as the ones prescribed to control hives and angioedema is right, use of zantac (ranitidine) is controversi ... Read More
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A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jalal Zuberi answered
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Yes, try Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is now OTC in 25 mg tablets. You can try one every 6-8 hrs, for general allergic symptoms. The main limiting feature if thi ... Read More
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A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. John Chiu answered
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No: Zantac (ranitidine) (a H2 reverse agonist) does nothing by itself to control allergic reactions although it may at times be helpful when used together ... Read More
A 55-year-old member asked:
Dr. Stevan Cordas answered
56 years experience in Internal Medicine
Ranitidine: Yes, usually along with an antihistamine.
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