Ranitidine/ Zantac - Side Effects?

Betts12

DS just started on ranitidine (generic for Zantac) this week.  His spitting up has been out of control so pedi suggested trying this reflux medicine 3 times a day.  It's sort of a pain because we need to give it to him 30 min. before eating.

Anyway, it seems to help with the spit up but I worry about the meds causing him pain.  He's been acting much fussier than usual, sleeping less and screaming crying upon waking a few times.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with this medicine to see if these behaviors are side effects of the meds or just a fussy and unusual couple days.

OscarQ

My son has been on Rantidine since April and the only time he's experienced symptoms like these is when his dosage needs to be increased - especially the fussiness when it's accompanied by arching.

J9melissa

OscarQ:

My son has been on Rantidine since April and the only time he's experienced symptoms like these is when his dosage needs to be increased - especially the fussiness when it's accompanied by arching.

This. The only difference is we've been on it since June.

lizobss

I think it's pretty benign (both kiddos were on it..) but I did find something when I googled...it was one of the rare side effects, but if you feel that things are getting worse it might warrant a call to the pedi...

Linky

(copied and pasted from page..)

It should be noted that if your child has a motility problem (if the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach and the esophagus do not function normally),

Zantac will not be an effective treatment for reflux in your child. In fact, in cases where the child suffers from dysmotility, it has been found that liquid Zantac can actually make infant reflux worse! If you find that to be true with your child, chances are he or she has a problem with motility, not acid reflux.

 

croberts22

J9melissa:

OscarQ:

My son has been on Rantidine since April and the only time he's experienced symptoms like these is when his dosage needs to be increased - especially the fussiness when it's accompanied by arching.

This. The only difference is we've been on it since June.

Same here.  In fact, those symptoms just came up and the pedi increased DD meds.