Can Ranitidine Raise Blood Alcohol Levels?
Previous studies of two histamine H2-receptor antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, suggest that they increase blood alcohol concentrations by decreasing the first pass metabolism of ethanol. Ranitidine has also been shown to accelerate gastric emptying of ethanol. While some studies have confirmed that ranitidine can increase blood alcohol levels, the effect was too small to be clinically significant. These studies did not include social drinkers, who tend to repetitively consume small amounts of ethanol. Arora and colleagues studied the impact of ranitidine on the blood alcohol levels of social drinkers. Men with a history of consuming fewer than five standard drinks per week were enrolled in the study. Social drinking was simulated with four small drinks, 150 mg per kg of ethanol, alternating with potato chips, given every 45 minutes. Breath analysis for ethanol was performed 15 minutes after the drink was consumed and then every five minutes until the next drink. After this initi
