Zantac (Ranitidine) is one of the oldest drugs used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It has been around for at least 40 years and has been widely used all over the world. It acts by actually decreasing the amount of acid secretion in the stomach. Zantac has been effective in preventing peptic ulcer recurrence when given in low doses for prolonged periods of time. In doses higher, Zantac has also been effective in the treatment of:
- GERD (reflux disease)
- Peptic ulcer disease
- ZES (a syndrome whereby tumors of the pancreas produce excess acid)
Side effects
Zantac has some minor side effects which include:
- bloating
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomiting
- depression, hallucinations, confusion
In very rare cases, zantac has been known to cause adverse
skin reactions which include:
- mild skin rash
- Erythema multiforme: A skin rash that results from an allergic response, most often secondary to a drug. The rash is described as pink-red macules (flat), that may have clear centers (iris lesions) or appear as a dusky violet color.
- hair loss
- pain in joints and muscles (vasculitis)
- acne
These adverse effects are rare and usually subside when the zantac is stopped. If anyone of these skin reactions occurs with Zantac, one should always report the complication to a physician
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