Ranitidine with Tolazoline Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Ranitidine
- Ranitidine
- Tritec®
- Zantac®
- Zantac® 75
- Zantac® EFFERdose®
- Zantac® Syrup

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 25, 2023
Interaction Effect
Decreased tolazoline effectiveness
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of ranitidine and tolazoline should be avoided. One study demonstrated that ranitidine reverses the effects of tolazoline possibly through H2 receptors within the pulmonary and systemic circulations.
Severity
Major
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Concomitant use of ranitidine and tolazoline should be avoided. If concomitant use of ranitidine and tolazoline is required and results in an inadequate therapeutic response from tolazoline, consider cautiously increasing the tolazoline dose or discontinuing ranitidine.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Antagonism
Literature Reports
A) The systemic and pulmonary vasodilatory effects of tolazoline were completely reversed by ranitidine in a study of 12 children with congenital heart disease. Tolazoline was given as a pulmonary vasodilator and ranitidine as prophylaxis for tolazoline-induced gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Ranitidine also reversed the tachycardia associated with tolazoline. It is speculated that tolazoline may mediate its effects through H2 receptors in the pulmonary and systemic circulations. Concurrent use of tolazoline and H2 antagonists should be avoided .
Ranitidine Overview
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Ranitidine is used to treat ulcers; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus); and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Over-the-counter ranitidine is used to prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. Ranitidine is in a class of medications called H2 blockers. It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.