The effects of antacid and propantheline on the absorption of oral ranitidine

The effects of propantheline bromide and an aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension on absorption of ranitidine were evaluated in 12 healthy volunteers according to a Latin square design. Ranitidine 150 mg was administered alone, with 30 ml antacid or preceded by 15 mg propantheline. Ten serum samples were obtained over 12 hours during each treatment period for measurement of ranitidine concentration. The antacid had no significant effect on ranitidine absorption, but propantheline increased the relative bioavailability of ranitidine by 22%. In addition, there was a trend, although not statistically significant, for propantheline to increase the maximum ranitidine serum concentration and the time to maximum serum concentration. Ranitidine can be administered concomitantly with the evaluated doses of antacid and propantheline without a clinically significant alteration in its absorption.