Zantac and Infant Reflux
Zantac and infant reflux go hand in hand. Sometimes, if an infant is diagnosed with
reflux (
see Acid Reflux in Babies and Toddlers ), your physician may prescribe an H2 receptor antagonist, like Zantac, to help. Unlike antacids which neutralizes acid that is present, Zantac works to prevent the user's stomach from secreting the acid that
causes reflux.
The result is not that the reflux itself is decreased, but rather that the liquid that does come up is much less acidic. So therefore, much less likely to cause discomfort and other
symptoms. Although there are other H2 receptor antagonists available, Zantac is the most commonly prescribed for use in cases of infant reflux.
Zantac use in infants is recommended by doctors because of the following:
- Zantac is generally effective on babies suffering from reflux.
- Most children are able to tolerate the drug quite well.
- There are only a few known side effects with the most common side effect being headaches.
- Severe side effects are very rare and can include abnormalities in the heart rhythm.
Although Zantac is generally prescribed for short-term use only, if your baby seems to respond well to the treatment your doctor may recommend that you continue to administer the drug for up to twelve months.
This should not prove to be a burden on the parents, as the dosing schedule for Zantac and infant reflux is generally only one or two tablets daily. 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.
Zantac should only be administered to an infant in cases of severe reflux disease. Even though the symptoms of reflux can be quite distressing to the parents and unpleasant for the child, Zantac is a potent drug that alters the stomach cells and should be prescribed very carefully.
For some children, however, the risk of side effects is far outweighed by the risks posed by the reflux disease. In rare cases, the child can experience periods of not breathing (apnea) and a slowed heart rate as a result of the reflux.
For those children, the risks involved in taking Zantac are very small compared to the risks of allowing the condition to go untreated.
Note: If you are considering putting your child on Zantac, be aware that drugs like Lidocaine, Diazepam, Theophylline and anticoagulants cannot be combined with it. If your child is taking any of these, be sure to make your physician aware.
Acid Reflux In Babies &
Toddlers How To Detect Acid Reflux In Babies | Zantac and Infant Reflux
Formulas and Acid-Reflux | Must-Haves For Babies With Acid Reflux
Tips To Settle An Acid Reflux Baby | Your Breast Milk and Your Baby's Reflux
Antacids For Infant Reflux | Acid Reflux And Baby Feeding | Babies and Herbal Remedies
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Notice & Disclaimer: Acid Reflux Tips is for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice. Always consult your doctor with health questions about specific medical conditions.
