Can you take Zantac for the treatment of hives?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can you take Zantac for the treatment of hives?
You can take Zantac (Ranitidine) for hives, but the use of Zantac alone does not provide adequate relief for your hives. However, it can manage hives when combined with an antihistamine like Diphenhydramine, Cetirizine, Hydroxyzine, etc.
Combination treatment with Zantac is usually preferred, but it needs dose adjustment as standard doses of Zantac are not sufficient enough to manage hives. Zantac itself is an H2-receptor blocker that manages increased stomach acidity and related symptoms (1).
This is why it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider before starting any medication on your own. Your doctor will examine your hives and will prescribe the most suitable treatment regimen with appropriate doses. Acute hives usually take a few days or a week or two to go away.
Chronic hives, on the other hand, stay for a more extended period of time and are managed a bit differently as compared to acute hives. This is another reason why you should consult your healthcare provider, especially if your hives stay for more than 2 weeks. (2)
If you are taking Zantac in combination with another medication for hives, make sure you take the right formulation. Zantac is also available as another formulation under the name Zantac 360, which is different from the regular Zantac tablets.
It is also important to note that Zantac tablets can be cut in half using a pill splitter, even though the tablets are not scored. However, you should discuss dose reduction or tablet cutting with your doctor before you do that.
Pharmacological treatment strategies for hives
There are a number of pharmacological treatment strategies for hives and the best one is determined according to the severity of your hives and the trigger factor. Some common options include: (3)
Antihistamines
These are commonly used to relieve itching and reduce hives. Over-the-counter antihistamines like Cetirizine (Zyrtec) or Loratadine (Claritin) can be helpful. If your hives are more severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger antihistamines. (4)
Corticosteroids
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and alleviate hives. These medications should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. (5)
Epinephrine
In rare instances of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, epinephrine injections may be necessary to quickly reverse symptoms and prevent complications. Epinephrine is typically administered in emergency situations and requires proper training on how to use it. (6)
It’s important to note that medication choices and dosages should be determined by a healthcare professional based on the severity and specific needs of your condition. They can assess your situation and provide appropriate recommendations for medication treatment.
Non-pharmacological tips to manage hives
Some non-pharmacological tips to manage hives include:
- Avoid triggers: Try to identify and avoid any known triggers that may be causing your hives. Common triggers can include certain foods, medications, insect bites, stress, or exposure to allergens.
- Apply cool compresses: Placing cool, damp compresses on the affected areas can provide relief from itching and help reduce inflammation.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes: Opt for loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritating the skin and promote airflow.
- Avoid hot showers or baths: Hot water can exacerbate itching and trigger hives. Stick to lukewarm or cool water when bathing.
- Moisturize your skin: Regularly apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness.
- Manage stress: Stress can sometimes worsen hives. Engage in relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation to help manage stress levels.
If your hives are severe, persistent, or affecting your daily life, it is important to seek medical advice. A healthcare professional can assess your condition, recommend appropriate treatment options, and determine if further investigation or prescription medications are necessary.
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References
1.-
Morgan KA, Ahlawat R. Ranitidine. 2022 Dec 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30422583. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532989
2.-
Schaefer P. Acute and Chronic Urticaria: Evaluation and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Jun 1;95(11):717-724. PMID: 28671445. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28671445/
3.-
Schaefer P. Urticaria: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2011 May 1;83(9):1078-84. PMID: 21534521. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21534521/
4.-
Ring J, Brockow K, Ollert M, Engst R. Antihistamines in urticaria. Clin Exp Allergy. 1999 Mar;29 Suppl 1:31-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1999.00006.x. PMID: 10209703. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10209703/
5.-
Asero R, Tedeschi A. Usefulness of a short course of oral prednisone in antihistamine-resistant chronic urticaria: a retrospective analysis. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2010;20(5):386-90. PMID: 20945604. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20945604/
6.-
Kemp SF, Lockey RF, Simons FE; World Allergy Organization ad hoc Committee on Epinephrine in Anaphylaxis. Epinephrine: the drug of choice for anaphylaxis-a statement of the world allergy organization. World Allergy Organ J. 2008 Jul;1(7 Suppl):S18-26. doi: 10.1097/WOX.0b013e31817c9338. PMID: 23282530; PMCID: PMC3666145. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3666145/
