Systemic high-dose ranitidine in the treatment of psoriasis: an open prospective clinical trial

We report the results of an open, prospective study on the efficacy of systemic ranitidine in the treatment of psoriasis. Twenty patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis were included in the study. The median pretreatment PASI score was 15.7 (range 6.0-24.7). The patients were treated with oral ranitidine 300 mg twice a day for 6 months; no other medication was allowed during the study period. Eighteen patients completed the study. The median PASI score was reduced from 15.7 to 14.5, 9.1 and 5.7, after 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment, respectively (P < 0.00001). A significant reduction in PASI score was evident at 3 months of treatment. A mild to moderate deterioration occurred in 15 patients within the first month of treatment, but this was followed by improvement during prolonged treatment in most patients. No other clinical and/or biochemical side-effects were observed. Eight patients continued therapy with ranitidine after the study was completed, and none of these patients relapsed during a follow-up period of 12-18 months. The results of the present study suggest that ranitidine may be a beneficial and safe treatment for psoriasis. In addition, high-dose, long-term ranitidine treatment appears to be free from severe adverse effects.