Fatal injection of ranitidine: a case report

• Published in: Journal of medical case reports Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 232
• Main Authors: Oliva, Antonio, Partemi, Sara, Arena, Vincenzo, De Giorgio, Fabio, Colecchi, Catia, Fucci, Nadia, Pascali, Vincenzo L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 17.07.2008; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Allergic reaction; Allergy; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case studies; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Dosage and administration; Peptic ulcer; Ranitidine; Risk factors; Italy
• ISSN: 1752-1947; 1752-1947
• DOI: 10.1186/1752-1947-2-232

Ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac), a histamine-2-receptor antagonist, is a widely used medication with an excellent safety record. Anaphylactic reaction to ranitidine is an extremely rare event and a related death has never been described in the literature. We present the clinical history, histological and toxicological data of a 51-year-old man with negative anamnesis for allergic events, who died suddenly after the intravenous administration of one phial of Zantac 50 mg prescribed as a routine post-surgical prophylaxis for stress ulcer. Although the incidence of anaphylactic reactions related to ranitidine is low, caution needs to be exercised on administration of this drug. In addition, further study is needed to define strategies for the prevention of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients.