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Zantac - when should you take it?

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Posted 9/9/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
My doc prescribed me 150 mg tablets of Zantac to take every night, but she said I can do more often if needed. Well, since I'm assuming you guys have a bit more experience with this drug, when is it best to take it? Before meals, after meals, between meals, right when symptoms are starting? Or does it make no difference? How long does the medication take to actually work? So far it has stopped me from having reflux in my sleep, but I still get it throughout the day sometimes, if I eat something a little too rich. So when is it best to take it?
Posted 9/10/2013 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SillyPotato,

If your doctor gave you Zantac to take at night, I suspect he/she means at bedtime.  When my reflux was at its worst, my doctors had me on PPIs before breakfast and dinner, and Zantac (300mg) at bedtime, to try to stop reflux while sleeping. (lying down makes it easier for reflux to migrate into the esophagus. Has anyone suggested elevating the head of your bed to help keep the acid in your stomach via gravity?  Putting bed risers or blocks under the legs at the head of your bed and raising it 7-8 inches, can be very helpful.)

If your doc said you can take the Zantac more often if needed, then I suspect it means to take it at mealtimes.  I suspect it would be a good idea to take if you are eating something that generally causes problems.  With Zantac, you can take it with food, or even after eating the offending meal.  PPIs are different, and have to be taken an hour before meals on an empty stomach.

Here's a great general GERD resource you might find helpful:

http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?productid=756&pageaction=displayproduct

Good luck!  Hope you find relief.

Take care,

Denise

Posted 9/10/2013 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I am only on Zantac and my doctor has told me to take it once in the morning, 150 mg, and once at night 150 mg. I was on 300 mg at night but have since been able to cut it down to 150 mg.

Robyn
Posted 9/11/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Well the commercials for zantacs says it takes 30-60 minutes to relieve heartburn compared to a ppi like prilosec that takes 24 hours to reach full effect. I would say the same thing, 30-60 minutes before eating, exercise or sleep, but overall they reach full effect faster than ppi's.

Are you just on Zantacs for heartburn? no ppi? If your problems happen during the day, it would make sense to take it before your morning meal. Then take it at night also, or as needed.
Posted 9/11/2013 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
SillyPotato,

Unlike PPIs that need to be taken on an empty stomach, an hour before you eat, Zantac can be taken with or without food.    PPIs and Zantac (an H2 antagonist/blocker) work differently...PPIs shut off the acid pumps, so that has to happen before they start pumping/with food in the stomach.  Zantac stops acid in a different way--by blocking the action of histamine on the cells that produce acid.  One thing that shouldn't be done is to take Zantac and a PPI at the exact same time. 

Hope you're having a good day today!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 9/20/2013 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
My doc also prescribed me zantac 150. I took it twice so far and although it did seem to help the next day I got a terrible headache. Any experience any downside to prescription zantac?? I'm a lil scared to take it again.
Posted 10/15/2017 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I originally was told to take Zantac before bed. Is that the best time if taking 150 mg only once a day? I had weaned off of Achiphex and went on Zantac (Ranitidine). After a recent endoscopy, I was told that there was obvious inflammation throughout. My gastro doctor advised me to stop taking the Zantac for several days before going back on the Achiphex because Achiphex needed acid to work. My internist said that I might want to take Zantac at night and then the Achiphex before breakfast. That would allow the Zantac to work at night and become less effective by the time that the Achiphex would be taken. I'm finding that my gastric system seems to feel irritated in the morning. I'm ready to try weaning off of Achiphex again and trying Zantac alone.
Posted 10/15/2017 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forums RitaK.

I take a different PPI (Pantoprazole) and H2-blocker (Pepcid), but my GI doctor is weaning me off of my PPI and take the Pepcid at bedtime. (as I've been doing).

He wants me off of the PPI because of the risk of long term side effects. I've been on the PPI for almost 3 years.

I've never taken Zantac, but I'm assuming based off of the Pepcid I take, (since they are both H2-blockers), you would take the Zantac at night if it's once a day. (I take my Pepcid every night at bedtime).

How long (and at what dosage) have you been taking the Aciphex? (this last time)
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