Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What is the best timing for administering ranitidine to an infant?

1. It doesn’t really matter when it is given

2. Give it with the infant's feedings

3. Give the medication 30 minutes before eating

4. Give the medication 30 minutes after eating

The correct answer is: Give the medication 30 minutes before eating

Administering ranitidine 30 minutes before eating is the best timing for optimizing its therapeutic effect in infants. Ranitidine is an H2 antagonist that works by reducing the production of stomach acid. When given prior to a meal, the medication has time to reach effective serum concentrations, allowing it to inhibit gastric acid secretion when the infant starts eating. This timing can enhance the medication's efficacy in managing conditions related to excess stomach acid, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Timing the dosage appropriately enhances the drug's ability to provide symptomatic relief and prevent complications associated with acid reflux during and after feeding. Administering the medication at this time ensures that the infant benefits fully from the acid-suppressive effects during a potentially problematic period, such as when they are actively digesting food, which tends to stimulate gastric acid secretion.