[Ranitidine (Zantic) for aspiration prevention]

The new H2-receptor antagonists have been shown to be effective against the risk of gastric acid aspiration. The recommended dosage schedules, however, are not satisfactory in a clinical routine practice. Therefore the effect of the long acting agent ranitidine on pH and volume of gastric secretion after a single administration at 22.00 h on the previous evening has been investigated. Ranitidine 300 mg increases pH in all cases to values higher than 3.5 at 08.00 on the next morning. Ranitidine 150 mg and cimetidine 400 mg are not satisfactory, as expected. If an anaesthetic is scheduled to start later than 09.00, an additional dose of ranitidine should be administrated at 07.00. Ranitidine 300 mg provides an efficient prophylaxis against acid aspiration in one single dose and without additional medications at a time inconvenient for patient and nursing staff.