Zantac: Anyone here take this?

[Virgo10]

The doctor put me on the generic Zantac (ranitidine). I've had it for two days and haven't taken it yet. After reading the negative side effects, I wonder if the cure is worse than the pain I'm in. I see that the top two effects are headache and dizziness... two things, that if they're on the list, I almost always get.

So is there someone out there who takes this and it helps without making you feel terrible? I'm probably going to give it a try tonight regardless. The nearly constant burning in my stomach is getting old FAST! Still it would be nice to hear some positive remarks about this medication.

Thanks.

 

[smartestnumber5]

I was on ranitidine for a few months for heartburn. I never had any side effects, but it wasn't helping enough so I had to move on to prescription strength prilosec.

Good luck!

 

[crazelion]

I take it and have no side effects from it all.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I take it as well and am experiencing no side effects.
However, I also have regular headaches and dizziness so I can't say whether i would or not due to the Zantac but I can say that neither has gotten worse since starting it.

 

[Mskanga]

I took zantac for years and I never had any side effects but now I take nexium and it works like a charm.

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

I've taken it off and on since 1998 and have never suffered any side effects either. One of the few things in the world that doesn't give me a headache.

 

[Virgo10]

Thanks to all of you for your replies. One of the sites I went on to read about IBS recommended exercise. I just got back from one of the state parks down here. My back feels crappy but my stomach feels almost normal.

A fair trade but I think I'll try the medication tonight anyway.

 

[epcotfan]

Take it pronto! Why on earth are you waiting? I take it OTC. Don't need a prescription for it here. I've had no side effects whatsoever. However if the burning keeps up you may need something stronger like Nexium.

 

[JESW]

My happy pill! I take it when I need it (like lately) and it works real well for me. No side effects that I know of. Hope it makes you feel better!

Jill

 

[Frantasmic]

No side effects here.

 

[sammi]

DH has also taken it with no side effects at all!

 

[Apothecary]

I have dispensed literally thousands of prescriptions for ranitidine in my career - it is one of the top selling drugs in canada- and I have NEVER had anyone stop it because of side effects. Not one. That is unheard of with drugs. It is probably the safest drug on the market. I also take it on occasion, and I've never had a problem.

 

[Christine]

When I was first being dosed with acid reflux, I was prescribed the prescription strength dosage of Pepcid AC, then Zantac. Both of those drugs made me fairly dizzy. Even if I take them now (on a regular basis) I wll feel off balance a lot. I am the "one" person in the world who probably quit taking them because of this. I take Prilosec (prescription strength now) and don't get this side effect.

 

[Virgo10]

Just a little update. I took the first pill last night and this morning I'm still pain free. The doctor put me on 2 a day but I want to start out with just one. Medication really zaps me so I always start with the lowest amounts and, 9 times out of 10, that usually is sufficient.

If the pain comes back during the day I'll start taking the second one. Anyway, so far, so good.

 

[englishteacha]

My DH took it for a couple of months, and it helped with the heartburn but not the acid reflux, so they had to change it. It worked for the heartburn and he had no side effects.

 

[ilovepcot]

I'm deeply grateful for this drug. I had a bleeding ulcer that had me curled up like a pretzel from the pain. Zantac allowed the ulcerated area to seal over and heal. Wonderful drug!

 

[eclectics]

I take Nexium in the morning and pop a Zantac before bed. Doc says take two but I found one is sufficient. I don't have any side effects from either one.