Zantac can upset your stomach due to the fact that it can cause side effects that include constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
Understanding How Zantac Works
Ranitidine is commonly known under the brand name Zantac, and it was until very recently an over-the-counter medication for symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux. Zantac works as an H2 blocker and not a proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec or Nexium. This means that while it relieves certain symptoms associated with both heartburn and acid indigestion, Zantac does not actually block acid production at the source, which is the proton pump. However, as an acid suppressor, Zantac worked for millions of people to reduce their symptoms of acid reflux, GERD, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal medical issues.
Zantac and the Stomach
A healthy amount of acid in the stomach actually protects a person in many ways. A low pH signals high amounts of acid which ensure that bacteria that a person may encounter through food or liquids never reach the intestines. The most ideal pH of a stomach is a pH of 3 or lower, according to the Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics research in the National Institutes of Health.
Research shows that Zantac actually eliminates a great deal of this acid, thus raising the pH levels to above pH 5, which can be harmful to a person. When a person has a stomach acid with a pH of 5 or higher, they can no longer effectively eliminate bacteria, which can cause damage or harm. Additionally, in some cases, the stomach then produces more acid as it is trying to continually kill bacteria through acid production. As this cycle continues, and the stomach produces more and more acid to compensate, Zantac can upset the stomach through breakthrough symptoms of abdominal pain, indigestion, or other symptoms related to acid reflux that result.
Zantac Side Effects
Zantac can upset the stomach also from the many listed side effects which may include stomach pain, constipation, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, among others. While these are the types of symptoms associated with acid reflux and heartburn that many people take Zantac to relieve, interestingly, Zantac can also cause these symptoms as well. It is important to note that there are additional side effects that are much more serious and can even be life-threatening. Some more severe Zantac side effects can include abnormal heart rhythm, inflammation of the pancreas, pancytopenia, erythema multiforme, hallucinations, atrioventricular block, bronchospasm, decreased blood platelets, angioedema, hemolytic anemia, interstitial nephritis, jaundice, hepatitis, as well as the possibility of several different types of cancer.
Symptoms That Occur After Stopping Zantac
Due to the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled Zantac in 2020, many patients found themselves unable to continue this acid-suppressing medication. Unfortunately, since this medication does significantly reduce acid, when patients come off of Zantac, it can result in an upset stomach due to the increase in acid production called rebound acid hyperproduction. American Journal of Gastroenterology research in the National Institutes of Health found that those who stop taking Zantac actually have stomachs that produce an overabundance of acid. When this substantial increase in the production of acid occurs in the stomach, the symptoms are oftentimes worse than they were originally when the patient went on the medication in the first place.
Additionally, many users of Zantac also develop severe dyspepsia, which is the medical term for indigestion. Dyspepsia commonly occurs after a patient stops taking Zantac. Again, because Zantac suppressed symptoms in the stomach for so long, once the medication stops, the stomach goes into overdrive to produce acid, which can leave a patient with severe symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, belching, and bloating. While these symptoms are not life-threatening, they can be severe and even painful. Make sure to always check with your healthcare provider to ensure that you receive proper treatment for your specific medical condition. There may be additional types of medications that you can take to relieve your heartburn, GERD, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal medical conditions, including over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors or prescription medications.
Consider a Zantac Ranitidine Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer
If you feel that you developed a serious medical condition or received a cancer diagnosis as a result of taking Zantac, call the legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 635-1144 today. We can provide you a free consultation and help you understand your legal options. Find out how a Zantac ranitidine cancer lawsuit lawyer can work with you to help you understand how you may be able to file a claim for your injuries and losses related to your use of Zantac or other ranitidine medications.