Heartburn and regurgitation are commonly seen in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ranitidine is an H2 receptor antagonist which inhibits the secretion of gastric acid, increases the pH and decreases the volume of gastric contents that can reflux into the esophagus.

A study by Pappa and colleagues evaluated the safety and efficacy of low-dose regimens of ranitidine for relieving heartburn. Adults with at least three months of heartburn were included in this randomized, double-blind, parallel group, multicenter dose-ranging study. After one week of open-label run-in phase to determine the baseline heartburn frequency, 491 participants received one tablet of either ranitidine 75 mg, 504 received ranitidine 25 mg, while 494 received a placebo. The treatment had to be taken as required, up to four times a day, for a period of 2 weeks to relieve heartburn.

• Treatment with ranitidine 75 mg was clinically and statistically (P < 0.05) significantly more effective compared to placebo with regard to all efficacy end-points in relieving heartburn and decreasing the consumption of antacids.
• Ranitidine 75 mg was also better than placebo in relieving heartburn within 30 min of dosing that persisted for up to 12 hours.
• Ranitidine 25 mg was statistically better (P < 0.05), though not clinically different, from placebo, as defined a priori, in relieving heartburn.
• The treatments were well tolerated. Adverse events were not more common with ranitidine treatment than with placebo.

The study concluded that ranitidine 75 mg quickly relieved heartburn and it persisted for up to 12 hours. 

Source: Pappa KA, Gooch WM, Buaron K, et al. Low-dose ranitidine for the relief of heartburn. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Apr;13(4):459-65.