Gastric ulcers show up as a sore or an inflammation on the inner walls of your stomach. When digestive acids of the gastric system destroy the stomach linings, regions under attack soon turn into an open wound or an ulcer. It has been estimated that more than 19 million people in the US experience such ulcers at least once in their lives. Men are more vulnerable than women and those in the age group of 35 to 55 years are more likely to suffer from it. Among drugs commonly taken for treating ulcers, a drug called zantac fares in the top 5 ranks. The generic equivalent of this drug is known as ranitidine. You are advised to know the side effects of zantac before starting to take it.
Stomach ulcers can be very painful and may lead to a lot of abdominal discomforts. The common reasons for the incidence of ulcers include – frequent intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, ibuprofen or aspirin, onset of a bacterial strand called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), etc. Use of a few other drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a few types of steroids as well as antiplatelet or blood-clot inhibiting meds may also lead to ulcers inside the stomach. Those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or smoke regularly as well as eat spicier foods are also more likely to experience internal sores or ulcers.
The key symptoms of formation of ulcers are pain in the top part of abdomen, heartburn or acid reflux as well as indigestion. You may need to remember that not all people may experience pains in their stomach; you may also fall sick, experience diarrhea or lose your appetite or witness weight loss – due to an ulcerous condition. It is essential to seek medical attention as soon as you witness one or more of these signs. If the signs are left untreated, they can lead to excessive loss of blood due to frequent bleeding, block the internal passage of foods or can also result in infections at your abdominal region.
Use of zantac for treating ulcers
Zantac is a widely used medication for the treatment of intestinal and stomach ulcers. It is also prescribed for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as inflammation of the food pipe (esophagus). The key function of this drug is to reduce the levels of acids in your tummy. It is categorized under a class of drugs called H2 blockers. You need to remember that this medicine is also available as an over the counter (OTC) variant. People buy it through the OTC route for managing acid reflux as well as indigestion caused by excessive levels of acids. Those who are not consulting a doctor / self-medicating need to carefully read all the instructions printed on the pack prior to starting self-treatment.
Doctors who prescribe zantac may tell you to take it along with your last meal of the day or before you go to sleep. In some cases, your treating physician may advise intake of zantac for 3 times per day. In general, your dosage plan may not be the same as another person’s. This is because of various factors such as your age, the underlying clinical condition as well as how well your system responds to this drug.
Side effects of zantac
Those who are consuming zantac without a doctor’s guidance need to take added care to avoid undesired side effects. If you are taking zantac for acid reflux or GERD, a daily dose of 1 tablet will suffice; however, you may need to take it at least 45 minutes prior to a meal. It is not safe to take 2 doses in a day without consulting a qualified medical practitioner. Also, one must not take it for more than 7 consecutive days unless a qualified physician suggests a fairly elongated medication plan.
Zantac may cause a few undesired side effects. Some of the common side effects are indigestion, difficulties to pass stools (i.e., constipation) as well as headaches or migraines. Most of these side effects may go away once your system gets used to the active ingredients of this drug. However, if a few of these adverse reactions or side effects persist for long, it is recommended to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. You also need to know that your physician has prescribed this drug because its benefits clearly outweigh the risks of adverse side effects.
Allergic reactions caused by intake of zantac
Zantac is widely regarded as a safe drug for all. It seldom triggers allergic reactions among users. In very remote cases, some users have noticed severe allergies. It is hence important to share needful information about prior episodes of hypersensitivity or known allergies, if any – with your medical team. Also, if you have had problems while taking other variants of H2 blockers – such as, famotidine, cimetidine, etc., you need to share needful details with your treating physician and pharmacist. Some severe allergies zantac rarely triggers include itchiness, rashes on the skin, hives or acute spells of drowsiness, passing out, respiratory problems such as wheezing or gasping.
A few serious side effects of zantac
In some stray instances, this drug may cause a few serious side effects. Such acute side effects include mood shifts – especially, being in a depressed frame of mind, internal bleeding as well as bruising, acute spells of weariness, blurring of eyesight, erratic heartbeats, etc. In a few remote cases, people witnessed signs of likely damage of liver; the typical signs of liver damage / injury are acute pain in the upper abdomen, discoloration of eyes or skin and darkening of urine. It is possible that you may experience symptoms of infections such as soreness of throat, tremors or chills and increase in body temperature.
Overdose of zantac and likely side effects
In order to expedite healing, a few people may take multiple doses of zantac. This is not a safe practice. Excessive intake of zantac may only aggravate your clinical condition and can make matters worse. If your doctor has prescribed the intake of zantac multiple times each day, chances are quite high to miss a dose accidentally. In such cases, never take a double dose to make up for the dose you have missed. Instead, wait for the next dose and take it as usual. Those who took a double dose or an overdose may experience side effects such as acute spells of drowsiness, passing out, lack of coordination or problems with motor function and excessive levels of dizziness.
It is important to remember that the abovementioned side effects, allergies and discomforts do not constitute a complete list. It is hence possible to witness a few side effects which are not listed or mentioned above. Upon sensing any unknown allergies or side effects, it is highly recommended to seek medical help as soon as you possibly can.
Those living in the US are urged to call 911 without any further delay. It is also a safe practice to reach out to the emergency helpline contacts of the food and drug administration; FDA monitors all the drugs it has approved and runs its helpline to provide possible medical support, as and when needed. People living in Canada need to call Health Canada upon sensing adverse or serious side effects after taking zantac. Canadians can also contact a poison control center which is located closer to their home / located within the province where they live.
Prior medical conditions and use of zantac
It becomes essential to share details about your prior medical conditions; if you are living with conditions like renal disorders, respiratory problems (such as bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases – COPD, bronchial asthma, etc.), tumors in the gastric tract as well as immunity dysfunction – your medical team needs to know of them.
Adverse interactions between zantac and other co-administered drugs
As mentioned, the key function of zantac is to minimise the secretion of acids in your stomach. So, when digestive acids or gastric juices are reduced, this condition may alter the functioning of a few co-administered medications. Drugs which are likely to undergo changes are azole genre of antifungal drugs – like fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, etc. Apart from drugs, a few reagents used for laboratory-based tests may also undergo alterations; for example, some urine sample tests – especially those done to check protein levels can show distorted results. It is hence essential to tell the medical team at the laboratory about the drugs you take prior to taking urine samples.
Zantac for pregnant women, nursing mothers, elders and for younger people
It is not clear if this med can harm your fetus. So, if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are already pregnant, it is recommended to talk to your doctor prior to taking zantac. This drug is given to mothers-to-be or those planning to get pregnant only when it is required and there are no other alternatives. Otherwise, your doctor may tell you to avoid taking this drug. The active ingredients of this drug can get into mother’s milk. So, women who are breastfeeding or nursing a baby need to take added precautions prior to taking zantac.
In general, elderly or older patients are more sensitive to drugs. Zantac may cause a few side effects when it is administered to elderly people. For instance, this drug leaves them in a confused state of mind or can also make them restless. It is hence highly recommended to moderate the dosage levels. It is always safe to talk to a qualified physician before giving zantac to elders. It is unsafe to administer zantac to younger people; especially, those aged lesser than 12 years. If your child is suffering from ulcers, you are advised to talk to your child’s doctor (i.e., pediatrician) instead of choosing to self-treat the child.
In sum, zantac may trigger a few adverse side effects like difficulties to pass stools, migraines, diarrhea and indigestion. Almost all of these side effects may disappear once your body gets used to this medication. But, if adverse side effects or undesired reactions last for a longer duration, seek medical care in a clinical setting on an emergency mode. Those in the US need to call 911 or reach out to the emergency helpline numbers of FDA. Canadians can establish quick contact with a poison control center located in their province.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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