title: Hypersensitivity reaction to ranitidine: description of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: Ranitidine is an H2-receptor antagonist which is usually well tolerated. Hypersensitivity reactions to ranitidine, as well as other H2 antihistamines, have been rarely described. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman who developed an anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine used as intravenous premedication before anesthesia induction. The patient's history revealed that previous use of oral ranitidine for a peptic ulcer disease did not cause any adverse reaction. Intradermal test with ranitidine at a dilution of 1:100 gave an intense positive reaction. The protective role of H2-receptor antagonists as premedication is still unclear and should be carefully reconsidered on the basis of the available controversial evidence and the possible risk of hypersensitivity reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Unit of Dermatology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. c.foti@dermatologia.uniba.it
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cassano
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panebianco
authors.forename: Gian Franco
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Calogiuri
authors.forename: Gino A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Vena
mesh_terms: D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011970:Receptors, Histamine H2
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D011970:Receptors, Histamine H2; D011899:Ranitidine