Zantac Toddler Diarrhea

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux?

According to Dr. Green.com, when someone swallows food, that food travels down the esophagus, a sphincter at the lower end relaxes, and the food enters the stomach. This food is broken down by stomach acids, which is digestion. The sphincter then closes tight.

When the sphincter does not remain tightly closed, the acid and the partially digested food travel back up into the esophagus. This is what is meant by reflux. These refluxed stomach contents can burn the lining of the esophagus and also irritate the lungs.

A small amount of reflux immediately following meals is common and generally causes no problems. This condition is also a common complaint by parents regarding their infants. Most of the time, this spitting up or reflux disappears on its own by the time a child reaches 18 months old.

For those toddlers who continue to experience the problem after they’ve reached their second birthday, however, there may not be a noticeable improvement until they’ve turned four. When this occurs, medicine is often prescribed. If Zantac is that medicine, Zantac toddler diarrhea may be experienced.

About Zantac Toddler Diarrhea

What is Zantac toddler diarrhea? As with many prescription medicines, Zantac can cause side effects. Zantac is considered an H2RA or H2 blocker, and these medicines are designed to decrease the acid production in the stomach. Many people mistakenly believe that the medication stops the reflux. This typically isn’t true. Instead, the medicines make the refluxed contents less acidic, which lessens the discomfort.

Zantac has been approved by the FDA, but make no mistake about its power---it is a strong drug! Common side effects include the following:

• Constipation
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Skin rash
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Treatment

Before you blame Zantac for your child’s diarrhea, however, take at look at other possible causes. For example:

• Have you started her on a new diet or introduced a new food?
• Does he attend a daycare or preschool?
• Does any other member of the family have diarrhea?
• How long has your child suffered from diarrhea?
• Did the condition begin when your child started her new medicine?
• Is your child on any other type of medications?
• Does the condition seem chronic?

There could be other reasons for your toddler’s diarrhea, and you should consider those before you jump to the conclusion that Zantac is to blame. However, now that you are aware that a common side effect of Zantac is diarrhea, the drug could be the culprit.

If the diarrhea symptoms aren’t severe, but they are causing you concern, you might want to consider taking the following action:

• Document the episodes of diarrhea. By keeping a log of when your child takes her medicine, what she eats on a daily basis, and how often she has diarrhea, you and your pediatrician may be able to pinpoint what to do for her. Include details as to the substance of the diarrhea as well to aid her doctor even more.
• Don’t stop the meds until you talk to the doc. While it may be tempting to take your child off of the Zantac, you may be opening him up to more problems if his reflux becomes more difficult to control. Talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.
• Don’t change medications without talking to the doc, either. You may be tempted to make a new diagnosis and treat it with an over-the-counter medication, but don’t! While it’s true that the pediatrician who treats your child may need to change her prescription, that should be his decision.
• Watch her diet. The problem may be as simple as a combination of foods, excess fruit, too much fiber, etc. Try eliminating certain foods that could aggravate the condition. Also, limit her intake of fruit juices.

Finally, if you notice a loss of appetite, weight loss, or any other cause for concern, contact your pediatrician immediately. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, a dangerous health condition that could affect your child. Don’t try to treat the problem yourself. See your doctor!