How often we diagnose allergy to ranitidine?

Abstract

H2 receptors' antagonists (H2RA) are widely used drugs and they are generally well-tolerated. Ranitidine hypersensitivity reactions (HR) are rarely reported. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing ranitidine as a cause of anaphylaxis and the advantages and limits of allergological evaluation to establish a positive diagnose. We reviewed a series of published cases of ranitidine-induced hypersensitivity reactions, starting from a clinical case presentation. Moreover, we analyzed the ranitidine related adverse events in the Eudravigilance European database of adverse reactions. Most of the allergic reactions induced by ranitidine are type I HR with immediate onset after exposure, with variable clinical presentation. But in a few cases, there were also described delayed reactions, some after occupational exposure. The article underlines the importance of allergy evaluation to avoid future contact with the drug to reduce the risk of more severe reactions. The suspected reactions should be reported, allowing pharmacovigilance systems to analyse them and to establish further recommendations for clinicians.