Two medicines, side by side
Ranitidine vs calcium carbonate
Ranitidine and calcium carbonate are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers.
Check it at the source: the ranitidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 1, 2026); the calcium carbonate FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 5, 2024).
Highlights of the ranitidine record
Ranitidine (Zantac) · label of May 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsRanitidine Tablets, USP are indicated in: Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks. Studies available to date have not assessed the safety of ranitidine in uncomplicated duodenal ulcer for periods of more than 8 weeks. Maintenance therapy for duodenal ulcer patients at reduced dosage after healing of acute ulcers. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 9, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 47
Highlights of the calcium carbonate record
Calcium carbonate · label of December 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves • heartburn • acid indigestion • sour stomach • upset stomach associated with these symptoms
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0315 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ranitidine label of May 1, 2026, Calcium carbonate label of December 5, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ranitidine and calcium carbonate differ on the record?
Generics: ranitidine since 1997; calcium carbonate none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Ranitidine | Calcium carbonate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life is 2.5 to 3 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 9, 1983 | n/a |
| First generic approved | July 31, 1997 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.0315 per tablet (Antacid ex-str 750 mg tablet chewable) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -0.8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 47 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 230,803 | 66,848 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to ranitidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions