[Serum concentrations of ranitidine after intravenous administration in geriatric patients under general anesthesia]

The elimination rate of serum ranitidine was investigated in healthy geriatric patients under general anesthesia. The patients (50-90 y.o., ASA classification 1 and 2) were divided into Group 1 (age greater than or equal to 70, n = 9) and Group 2 (50 less than age less than 65, n = 6). Ranitidine (1 mg.kg-1) was administered intravenously after the induction of anesthesia, and the serum concentration was measured at 60 min and 120 min. The biological half life of serum ranitidine in Group 1 was 98.9 +/- 13.8 (M +/- SD) min, which was not significantly different from that of Group 2. The half life correlated with intraoperative urine volume (r = 0.62), but not with intraoperative bleeding or age. The duration of the above effective ranitidine concentration was calculated as about 4 and half hours after its i.v. injection. This indicates that additional administration is necessary for longer operations.