Abstract
Ranitidine is a widely used drug and is known to be well tolerated. This case report illustrates a severe anaphylactic reaction after a single intravenous dose of 50 mgs of ranitidine and highlights this unusual but life threatening adverse reaction.A 56 year old female with acute pancreatitis and a known allergy to metronidazole and buscopan developed an anaphylaxis few minutes following the injection of ranitidine for epigastric discomfort. She went on to develop anaphylactic shock and a cardiorespiratory arrest.She was managed with adrenaline, hydrocortisone and ventilatory support following which she had a full recovery.Awareness of this rare but life threatening adverse reaction to a commonly used drug can avoid being caught unaware.
Highlights
Ranitidine is a widely used H2 receptor antagonist and is usually well tolerated by patients
Anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine is rare. This life-threatening adverse reaction can take the clinician by surprise
A 56-year-old female with acute pancreatitis was admitted under our care
Summary
Ranitidine is a widely used H2 receptor antagonist and is usually well tolerated by patients. This life-threatening adverse reaction can take the clinician by surprise. This case report highlights the occurrence of this rare but dangerous adverse reaction to ranitidine. A 56-year-old female with acute pancreatitis was admitted under our care She was known to suffer from diverticular disease and had a myocardial infarction in the past. Few minutes after the injection, the patient complained of itching at the injection site that spread to involve the entire upper limb She complained of swelling of her tongue and difficulty in breathing. Patient was intubated with difficulty and was resuscitated successfully She was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for ventilatory and inotropic support. A skin sensitivity test prior to the patient's discharge revealed the patient's sensitivity to Ranitidine
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