Taking Zantac While Breastfeeding

Its generic name is ranitidine. But like a lot of medicine in the market nowadays, people usually refer ranitidine by its brand name, Zantac (From here on out, Zantac and ranitidine will be used interchangeably, but they mean the same thing). Whatever its name is, the medical effects are the same: by reducing the acid in your stomach, this medicine is usually used to reduce the pains and symptoms of stomach problems, such as indigestions, ulcers and heartburns. Ranitidine, in certain preparations, is available over the counter in various countries (e.g. in the United States, 75mg and 150mg tablets are available over the counter).

The nursing mothers and their babies

There is very little information on the internet in regards to the effects of taking Zantac while breastfeeding or pregnant. The truth is, it is quite seldom to have definite answers regarding all parties, when the mother (or mother-to-be) takes a medicine during pregnancy or during nursing periods. To paraphrase another website, this is because human experiences are mostly based on personal experiences and case study reports rather than systematic scientific evaluation. That is why the doctor will always tell you to not take the drug during these sensitive periods unless you REALLY have to. However, we can still lay out some facts to prepare the mothers out there to consider the pros and cons in taking Zantac while breastfeeding.

-Ranitidine does pass into breast milk. Higher concentrations of Zantac are found in breast milk compared to serum, especially toward the end of a 12-hour ingesting interval, when multiple dosing is ingested. One to two hours after maternal administration, there will be minimum concentration in the breast milk.

-A study shows that the ranitidine concentration in breast milk increases with time, with a mean milk to plasma ratio of 1.9, 2.8 and 6.8 at 2, 4 and 6 hours respectively, after a ingesting a single dose of 150 mg in six subjects. However, these concentrations’ effects have yet to be discovered on nursing infants.

-Gastric acidity is decreased by ranitidine but again this is unknown in nursing infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that an agent with similar activity, cimetidine, is compatible with breastfeeding.

As a result of their mothers taking tricyclic anti-depressants immediately prior to their delivery, there have been reports of infants experiencing muscle spasms and heart, breathing and urinary problems. Zantac increase the effects of Elavil (amitriptyline), which is a form of tricyclic anti-depressant. Tricyclic anti-depressants can cause drowsiness in nursing infants, and can pass into breast milk.