Zantac before or after feeding baby
Ranitidine (Zantac®) and Babies
The Bottom Line
Up to 70% of infants vomit at least once a day until they are four months old. They may suffer from gastroesophageal reflux. Sometimes doctors prescribe ranitidine for these babies. Parents often panic after giving the wrong dose of ranitidine. Ranitidine overdoses usually don't cause problems; parents should call Poison Control anyway for specific advice.
The Full Story
If you are treating your newborn baby with ranitidine (Zantac®) for heartburn, you are not alone. In fact, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), also called heartburn, acid reflux or indigestion, is extremely common in infants and children. As many as 70% of infants vomit at least once every day in their first four months of life due to GER.
GER occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the food pipe that connects the throat to the stomach. Because the esophagus is sensitive and not as thick as the stomach, acid in the esophagus causes pain. Infants with GER may have vomiting, irritability because of the pain, trouble feeding and a cough that does not go away.
GER often goes away on its own by the time a child is six months old. Until then, doctors often prescribe ranitidine to help relieve the pain and discomfort caused by GER. Ranitidine works by reducing the acid in the stomach. It is given to infants and children in syrup form, though it is also available as tablets.
The prescribed dosing for ranitidine syrup can be confusing. Many parents make mistakes in dosing their children. For instance, a common mistake is to give 7 milliliters instead of the prescribed 0.7 milliliters. This is ten times the dose ordered by the doctor.
When parents realize the mistake, they call Poison Control in a panic. Poison Control experts tell them that ranitidine is safe and well-tolerated. In an overdose, it may cause mild drowsiness. Some children may also have short-term nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Severe or life-threatening symptoms are very rare.
Prevent mistakes with ranitidine (and other medicines):
- Have a routine for who gives a child medicine and when.
- Use a checklist, schedule, or calendar to note when a child is given medicine.
- Read the label carefully for the right dose – every time you give medicine.
- Use measuring syringes for medicines. Get them from your doctor or pharmacy. DO NOT use household spoons and cups to measure medicine doses.
If a child gets too much ranitidine, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool for guidance or call Poison Control right away at 1-800-222-1222. Take the package to the computer or the phone. Whether you call or go online for poison control guidance, you'll learn what symptoms to watch for. Usually, no treatment is needed. But, if you need to do anything, you'll get expert recommendations.
Serkalem Mekonnen, RN, BSN, MPH
Certified Specialist in Poison Information
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
HELP ME online
Prevention Tips
- Have a routine for who gives a child medicine and when.
- Use a checklist, schedule, or calendar to note when a child is given medicine.
- Read the label carefully for the right dose – every time you give medicine.
- Use measuring syringes for medicines. Get them from your doctor or pharmacy. DO NOT use household spoons and cups to measure medicine doses.
This Really Happened
A 4-month-old girl was prescribed ranitidine 15 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL). Each dose was supposed to be 0.8 mL, or 12 mg. By mistake, her mother gave her 8 mL of the ranitidine, or 120 mg, a 10-fold dosing error. The family called 911 and the child was taken to the emergency room. She was observed for a few hours, was fine, and was sent home. The treating emergency physician consulted Poison Control. Had the parents called Poison Control first, home observations would have been recommended, not a trip to the emergency room.
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Information for parents about gastrointestinal reflux in children (AAP)References
Blanco FC, Davenport KP, Kane TD.
Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease. Surg Clin N Am. 2012; 92:541–558.Lightdasle JR, Gremse DA, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Pediatrics. 2013;131;e1684; originally published online April 29, 2013; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-0421.
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
HELP ME online
Prevention Tips
- Have a routine for who gives a child medicine and when.
- Use a checklist, schedule, or calendar to note when a child is given medicine.
- Read the label carefully for the right dose – every time you give medicine.
- Use measuring syringes for medicines. Get them from your doctor or pharmacy. DO NOT use household spoons and cups to measure medicine doses.
This Really Happened
A 4-month-old girl was prescribed ranitidine 15 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL). Each dose was supposed to be 0.8 mL, or 12 mg. By mistake, her mother gave her 8 mL of the ranitidine, or 120 mg, a 10-fold dosing error. The family called 911 and the child was taken to the emergency room. She was observed for a few hours, was fine, and was sent home. The treating emergency physician consulted Poison Control. Had the parents called Poison Control first, home observations would have been recommended, not a trip to the emergency room.
Zantac (Ranitidine) For Babies: Its Dosage And Side Effects
It may cause headaches or nausea and sometimes affects the stomach or liver in the long term.
Research-backed
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Doctors may prescribe Zantac for kids with heartburn. This medication belongs to the group of h3 blockers that prevents excess production of stomach acid. But does Zantac for babies work the same way? Zantac is the brand name of ranitidine (generic name), which is also available over the counter. Though you should give Zantac syrup to babies as per the pediatrician’s recommendations, you can read on to know if it is safe to treat heartburn and if it has any side effects.
What Is Zantac?
Zantac is the brand name for the generic antacid compound called ranitidine (1). Ranitidine is a type of histamine-2 (h3) blocker and is particularly used to suppress the stomach cells from producing excess acids and thus prevent heartburn.
Can A Baby Have Zantac?
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Yes, babies can have ranitidine (Zantac), but only on a doctor’s prescription (2). Never give Zantac to babies and toddlers unless advised by a pediatrician.
When administered in the right dosages, Zantac can be effective and not have any side-effects.
What Is The Right Age To Give Zantac?
Zantac is usually prescribed to babies of at least a month old (3). A pediatrician will explore non-pharmacological treatment, change in maternal diet, and other safer medical alternatives when the baby is less than a month old.
What Is Zantac Used For In Babies?
Ranitidine (Zantac) is prescribed to treat the following conditions in infants (4) (5):
- Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. In this condition, the lower esophageal sphincter present at the junction of esophagus and stomach does not shut completely and allows some stomach acid to flow upwards towards the mouth. Ranitidine subdues the secretion of stomach acid, thus providing relief from acid reflux.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When acid reflux becomes chronic, it is called GERD. Zantac provides relief from GERD by preventing excess acid accumulation in the stomach.
Image: Shutterstock
- Esophagitis. It is the inflammation of the inner lining of the esophagus caused due to several reasons including GERD. Ranitidine is found to be effective in the treatment of this condition as well.
What Is The Dosage Of Zantac For Babies?
Usually, about 1-2mg of Zantac per kg of the baby’s weight is the prescribed single dosage. No more than two to three such doses are to be given in a day (6).
For example, if the baby weighs about 10kg, he will get about 20mg (2mg x 10kg) of Zantac per dose, which amounts to about 60mg of Zantac in a day, in three doses.
The maximum dosage of Zantac for infants is at about 100mg per day, or as prescribed by the doctor (7). Zantac is often prescribed for two weeks (8).
Note that the dosage and duration can vary due to several factors such as the age of the baby, and the severity of the condition. The doctor will also let you know the best time to give the medicine (full stomach or empty stomach) and if the medicine can be combined with other medication (like gas drops or antacid).
Dosage form of Zantac:
Zantac is available in the form of syrup or effervescence tablet for babies. Syrups are easy to administer to older infants who may like the slightly sweet taste. Younger infants could be given effervescent tablets that dissolve in water. The water can be administered to the baby through a dropper syringe.
How Long Does It Take For Zantac To Work In Babies?
The time taken for the medicine to work depends on the severity of baby’s reflux. Ideally, a baby should get relief from reflux and GERD within two weeks from the day Zantac was first administered.
Are There Side-Effects Of Zantac On Babies?
Yes. Side-effects of Zantac include:
- Headache
- Fussiness
- Lethargy and excessive sleepiness
Image: Shutterstock
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Constipation
The side-effects are not many and usually disappear once the medicine has been discontinued.
The negative effects are significant among less than 2% of patients who take the medication (10). However, some may experience a few long-term side-effects of using the medicine.
Long-term side-effects of Zantac in babies:
Ranitidine seldom has any long-term effects on the baby’s health. However, if the baby is regularly given Zantac or if there is an overdose of the medication, then the baby runs the risk of the following long-term side-effects:
- Repeated stomach infections: Ranitidine suppresses the stomach acid that plays a vital role in destroying pathogens. Extended consumption of Zantac can increase the risk of infection due to lower acid production (11).
Image: iStock
- Necrotizing enterocolitis: It is a condition where bacteria destroy the walls of intestines, leaving perforations/holes in the intestinal walls. Stool and semi-digested food spill out from such holes into the abdominal cavity causing severe infection (12).
While the exact reason for this condition is not known, some studies have shown that increased use of H-2 blockers, such as ranitidine (Zantac), in babies can put them at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (13).
- Liver function problems: Excessive use of the drug may decrease liver capabilities, leading to complications and susceptibility of the liver to diseases like hepatitis. Liver problems due to ranitidine occur in one among 1,000 patients (10).
- Neuropsychological problems: Complications include chronic disorientation, confusion, delirium, and hallucinations. However, these side effects happen in less than 1% of ranitidine users and usually only among those infants who are critically ill and on multiple medications.
- Cardiovascular problems: This is an extremely rare side-effect of ranitidine, which affects one in a million patients and only due to rapid dosage or overdose of ranitidine.
Problems of the heart include abnormal heart rate, either too many or too few heartbeats than the average.
What If The Baby Is On Zantac But Still Spits Up?
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If your baby continues to spit up despite using Zantac, then take him to the doctor immediately. This could indicate some other underlying condition or infantile diseases such as pyloric stenosis that causes the baby to spit up (14). Get your baby checked by a pediatrician in case of chronic spit ups that do not stop even with ranitidine.
1. Is Zantac Same As Prilosec And Prevacid?
Zantac is different from Prilosec and Prevacid. Prilosec is the brand name for the generic compound called omeprazole and Prevacid is the brand name for lansoprazole. Both omeprazole and lansoprazole belong to the compound group called proton-pump inhibitors, also used for treating acid reflux (9), while ranitidine (Zantac) is an h3 blocker. They act differently.
2. Does Zantac Help With Gas In Babies?
There is no evidence that Zantac can provide babies relief from excessive gas.
It may help ease the gas caused by acid reflux, but it does not treat gas directly. Ranitidine is primarily prescribed for GER and GERD.
Ranitidine is less likely to cause serious side-effects that have a long-term effect on the baby. Despite that, a baby’s doctor will choose Zantac as a last resort – when nothing seems to ease a baby’s reflux. Experts state that Zantac is safer than alternative medicines, but more research is needed to learn its true effects. For the safety of your infant, use Zantac only as and when prescribed by the pediatrician.
Have you used Zantac for your baby? Do let us know your experience in the comments section below.
Zantac for babies should be given if the pediatrician recommends it. These are h3 blockers that suppress stomach acid production, thus relieving heartburn. It is available in syrup and tablet forms. Syrups or effervescent tablets that dissolve in water after dissolving are given through droppers for babies. Side effects are less common if given the right dosages according to the baby’s weight, age, and other factors.
Never give a portion of adult zantac medications to babies since the composition may vary and often causes adverse effects.
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Rohit Garoo did MBA from Osmania University and holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland. The zoologist-botanist turned writer-editor has over 8 years of experience in content writing, content marketing, and copywriting. He has also done an MBA in marketing and human resources and worked in the domains of market research and e-commerce. Rohit writes topics... more
Dr. Kondekar Santosh is a Mumbai-based pediatrician and specializes in child health, nutrition, and growth, respiratory and neurological issues. He graduated from King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College in 1998. He completed his Diplomate in National Board (DNB) in New Delhi, 2003. With over 20 years of experience, Dr.
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| 💊 Ingredients of Zantac ® ✅ Use of Zantac ® Keep for yourself Search for analogues ⚠️ The state registration of this drug has been canceled Description of the active ingredients of the preparation Zantac ® (Zantac) The scientific information provided is general and cannot be used to make decisions. Update date: 2020.05.15 Marketing authorization holder:GlaxoSmithKline Trading JSC (Russia)
Manufactured:GlaxoSmithKline Tianjin, Co.Ltd (China)
Packed:GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, S.A. (Poland) ATX code: A02BA02 (Ranitidine) Active substance: ranitidine (ranitidine) Rec.INN WHO registered Dosage form
Release form, packaging and composition Zantac®film-coated tablets, white, round, biconvex, debossed with "GX EC2" on one side.
10 pcs. - blisters (2) - packs of cardboard. Clinical and pharmacological group: Blocker of histamine H 2 receptors. Antiulcer drug Pharmacotherapeutic group: h3-histamine receptor blocker Pharmacological action Blocker of histamine H 2 receptors. PharmacokineticsAfter oral administration, ranitidine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The intake of food and antacids slightly affects the degree of absorption. It undergoes the effect of "first pass" through the liver. C max in plasma is achieved 2 hours after a single oral dose. After i / m administration, it is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the injection site. C max is reached after 15 minutes. Protein binding - 15%. V d - 1.4 l/kg. Ranitidine is excreted in breast milk. T 1/2 is 2-3 hours. About 30% of the dose taken is excreted in the urine unchanged. The rate of excretion decreases with impaired liver or kidney function. Indications of the active substances of the drug Zantac®Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute phase; prevention of exacerbations of peptic ulcer; symptomatic ulcers; erosive and reflux esophagitis; Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; prevention of "stress" ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, postoperative ulcers, recurrence of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract; prevention of aspiration of gastric juice during operations under anesthesia. Open list of ICD-10 codes
Dosing regimenThe route of administration and dosing regimen of a particular drug depends on its form of release and other factors. The optimal dosage regimen is determined by the doctor. Compliance of the dosage form of a particular drug with indications for use and dosing regimen should be strictly observed. Installed individually. Inside for the treatment of adults and children over 14 years of age, a daily dose of 300-450 mg is used, if necessary, the daily dose is increased to 600-900 mg; the multiplicity of reception - 2-3 times / day. For the prevention of exacerbations of diseases, 150 mg / day at bedtime is used. The duration of treatment is determined by indications for use. In / in or / m - 50-100 mg every 6-8 hours. Side effects .From the digestive system: rarely - diarrhea, constipation; in isolated cases - hepatitis. From the side of the central nervous system: rarely - headache, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision; in isolated cases (in seriously ill patients) - confusion, hallucinations. From the side of the hematopoietic system: rarely - thrombocytopenia; with prolonged use in high doses - leukopenia. From the side of metabolism: rarely - a slight increase in serum creatinine at the beginning of treatment. From the endocrine system: long-term use in high doses may increase the content of prolactin, gynecomastia, amenorrhea, impotence, decreased libido. From the musculoskeletal system: very rarely - arthralgia, myalgia. Allergic reactions: rarely - skin rash, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic shock, bronchospasm, arterial hypotension. Other: rare - recurrent parotitis; in isolated cases - hair loss. Contraindications for usePregnancy, lactation (breastfeeding), hypersensitivity to ranitidine. Use in pregnancy and lactationAdequate and well-controlled studies of the safety of the use of ranitidine during pregnancy have not been conducted, and therefore the use during pregnancy is contraindicated. If ranitidine is required during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued. Use in impaired renal functionUse with caution in patients with impaired renal excretory function. Use in childrenClinical data on the safety of the use of ranitidine in pediatrics are limited. Special instructions Use with caution in patients with impaired renal excretory function. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of malignant disease of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. With long-term treatment in debilitated patients under stress conditions, bacterial lesions of the stomach are possible, followed by the spread of infection. Abrupt discontinuation of ranitidine is undesirable due to the risk of peptic ulcer recurrence. The effectiveness of prophylactic treatment of peptic ulcer is higher when taking ranitidine in courses of 45 days in the spring-autumn period than when taken continuously. Rapid intravenous administration of ranitidine rarely causes bradycardia, usually in patients predisposed to cardiac arrhythmias. There are anecdotal reports that ranitidine may contribute to the development of an acute attack of porphyria, and therefore its use should be avoided in patients with a history of acute porphyria. Against the background of the use of ranitidine, distortions of laboratory data are possible: an increase in the level of creatinine, the activity of GGT and liver transaminases in blood plasma. In cases where ranitidine is used in combination with antacids, the interval between taking antacids and ranitidine should be at least 1-2 hours (antacids can cause impaired absorption of ranitidine). Clinical data on the safety of ranitidine in pediatrics are limited. Drug interactionsSimultaneous use with antacids may reduce the absorption of ranitidine. When used simultaneously with anticholinergics, memory and attention impairment may occur in elderly patients. It is believed that blockers of histamine H 2 receptors reduce the ulcerogenic effect of NSAIDs on the gastric mucosa. When used simultaneously with warfarin, a decrease in the clearance of warfarin is possible. A case of development of hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding in a patient receiving warfarin is described. Co-administration of tripotassium dicitrate with bismuth may undesirably increase the absorption of bismuth; with glibenclamide - cases of hypoglycemia are described; with ketoconazole, itraconazole - the absorption of ketoconazole, itraconazole decreases. With simultaneous use with metoprolol, an increase in plasma concentrations and an increase in AUC and T 1/2 metoprolol. Co-administration with high doses of sucralfate (2 g) may interfere with the absorption of ranitidine. When used simultaneously with procainamide, it is possible to reduce the excretion of procainamide by the kidneys, which leads to an increase in its concentration in the blood plasma. There is evidence of an increase in the absorption of triazolam with its simultaneous use, apparently due to a change in the pH of the contents of the stomach under the influence of ranitidine. It is believed that when used simultaneously with phenytoin, it is possible to increase the concentration of phenytoin in the blood plasma and increase the risk of toxicity. When used simultaneously with furosemide, the increase in the bioavailability of furosemide is moderately pronounced. A case of development of ventricular arrhythmia (bigeminy) is described with simultaneous use with quinidine; with cisapride - a case of cardiotoxicity is described. Some increase in the concentration of cyclosporine in the blood plasma cannot be excluded when it is used simultaneously with ranitidine. Keep |
decisions about the use of a particular drug. 
, coated film coated, 300 mg: 20 pcs. 
Suppresses basal and stimulated by histamine, gastrin and acetylcholine (to a lesser extent) secretion of hydrochloric acid. Helps to increase the pH of gastric contents and reduces the activity of pepsin. The duration of action of ranitidine with a single dose is 12 hours. 
2 
Patients with renal insufficiency with a creatinine level of more than 3.3 mg / 100 ml - 75 mg 2 times / day. Zantac. Effervescent tablets Reference book of medicines. Tomsk
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