Ranitidine 75 mg is known to be effective in the treatment of heartburn symptoms. A study by Pappa and colleagues sought to compare the efficacy of ranitidine 75 mg and placebo, 30 min before a proven heartburn-inducing meal, in preventing or reducing the heartburn symptoms.

Investigators conducted a randomized, double-blind study at nine investigative centers. After a screening visit, patients consumed a standard test meal, which included chili, chips and a soft drink, on two occasions. On the first occasion, patients were given single-blind placebo, 30 min prior to the meal. This meal helped in qualifying the patients and helped ensure the onset of a minimum level of heartburn.

Qualifying patients (n = 284) were randomly allocated to receive double-blind ranitidine 75 mg or placebo 30 min prior to a second test meal, which was administered 4-14 days later, at the time of the treatment visit. Patients recorded heartburn and rated its severity by completing visual analogue scales at 15-min intervals during the 4. 5 h meal evaluation periods.

There were statistically significant differences in favor of ranitidine 75 mg for completely preventing heartburn, heartburn severity area under the curve, clinical success end-point, as well as all other end-points.

Ranitidine 75 mg was found to be effective in completely preventing or reducing heartburn when given 30 min before a heartburn-triggering meal.

Source: Pappa KA, Williams BO, Payne JE, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of non-prescription ranitidine 75 mg in the prevention of meal-induced heartburn. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Apr;13(4):467-73.