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Ranitidine - gut motility agent, yea or nay?

MimzMum

MimzMum

Wise Old Thumper
I posed this question to my new vet here and he said this drug has no effect on gut motility in rabbits. Is this correct?
I've been hoping that both Mimzy and Fiver could benefit from this drug, not only to keep their tummies from swimming in acid whilst taking metacam, but to keep their guts moving smoothly as well, since arthritis has left each of them fairly immobile much of the day.

Can someone who knows please clear this up for me? Many TIA. :wave:
 
Ranitidine is used to stop the stomach producing as much acid, it can also help protect the stomach from damage from NSAID's such as metacam. This is why humans on long term NSAID's (e.g. ibuprofen) should be prescribed a medicine to reduce stomach acid too. As far as I'm aware it's not used as a motility agent, you need a prokinetic such as metoclopramide for that
 
MimzMum said:
I posed this question to my new vet here and he said this drug has no effect on gut motility in rabbits. Is this correct?
I've been hoping that both Mimzy and Fiver could benefit from this drug, not only to keep their tummies from swimming in acid whilst taking metacam, but to keep their guts moving smoothly as well, since arthritis has left each of them fairly immobile much of the day.

Can someone who knows please clear this up for me? Many TIA. :wave:
Click to expand...

Ranitidine has been found to have some prokinetic effects on the hind gut, aswell as reducing the acidity of the stomach

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ranitidine.htm

Metoclopramide has prokinetic effects on the upper GI tract, increasing the rate at which the stomach empties, hence why using the two drugs in combination is very useful in treating Rabbits with a reduced gut motility

See page 4 on here :)

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv
 
MimzMum said:
I posed this question to my new vet here and he said this drug has no effect on gut motility in rabbits. Is this correct?
I've been hoping that both Mimzy and Fiver could benefit from this drug, not only to keep their tummies from swimming in acid whilst taking metacam, but to keep their guts moving smoothly as well, since arthritis has left each of them fairly immobile much of the day.

Can someone who knows please clear this up for me? Many TIA. :wave:
Click to expand...


Yes it's listed in the vet manual as a gastrointestinal prokinetic drug:

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/pharma...gastrointestinal-prokinetic-drugs-monogastric

The BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) says this:

Ranitidine is used to treat (or prevent) ulcers in the stomach and upper small intestine. These ulcers can develop in a variety of diseases such as disease of the intestines, kidney failure or cancer. They can also be a side effect of a group of pain-relieving drugs called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-in ammatory drugs) or of large doses of steroid drugs. The prokinetic effect of ranitidine can be beneficial in the presence of ulcers and in a condition called feline idiopathic megacolon, where cats have difficulty passing faeces due to a hugely enlarged and abnormal bowel.

Hope you're OK MM? :wave:
 
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