Any gastroenterology specialists around?

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

I had an endoscopy last year which diagnosed gastritis and hiatus hernia. Ranitidine was prescribed and works well at keeping symptoms under control. However, since that turns out to create carcinogenic compounds in the body due to being unstable, and I've previously had side effects from PPIs (and long term use is associated with increased Alzheimer's risk), how can I control my symptoms safely? Gaviscon Advance alone doesn't cut it. I've tried asking the GP for a different histamine H2 receptor antagonist but they are very reluctant to prescribe one. Why? Are they expensive? Hard to obtain? Dangerous? Anyone have any advice?

Because your doctor has already prescribed something ? There are risks with every medication so finding a completely safe med is impossible

They prescribed ranitidine. It has been recalled across the world due to the cancer risk, so is no longer an option. I assume you're not a gastro specialist or you would already know that.

AFAIK it was only paediatric ranitidine and older types of ranitidine that were withdrawn there was no problem with the type of ranitidine prescribed in the UK hence its still available.

Forgot to add you can build up a tolerance to ranitidine quite quickly so not recommended for long term use.

Nope, all Ranitidine has been withdrawn.

No it hasn't. I'm still on it. Patchy supply, but intermittently can get my hands on it.

According to my GP practice it's withdrawn. Withdrawn by the FDA in the states too. Spoke to the surgery pharmacist today who is working through a list of many patients to switch them to alternative prescriptions. The issue with switching to another histamine inhibitor rather than a PPI is that supplies of alternatives are in high demand as everyone gets moved off ranitidine.

I issued several scripts of ranitidine today.

It isn't ranitidine that is the problem. The problem is that some batches of some formulations have potentially been contaminated with NDMA. The MHRA is recalling on a precautionary basis.

Ranitidine is absolutely available I picked some up yesterday , a particular series of batches was recalled at the end of 2019 but now in free supply

It's hit and miss with ranitidine. I'm told it's back..do a script then get told we are told of stock..... nightmare as it creates a lot of extra work...like we aren't busy enough

Loads on the shelf in Sainsburys yesterday.