Zantac Vs Pepcid

What is Zantac? What is Zantac used for?

Zantac is a Brand name for a medicine that contains ranitidine as an active ingredient. It is available as a prescription and OTC product. It is approved by FDA in 1984. This drug belongs to the group of histamine H2- antagonists, and works by reducing the amount of acid production in stomach.

Zantac main indications are stomach and intestinal ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can be also used for the treatment of acid-related damage of esophagus lining. Zantac is also used to treat hyperacidity in stomach, including a rare condition which is known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Zantac is sometimes used as a prevention of stress ulcers, stomach damage that can be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspiration of stomach acid during anesthesia.

Zantac is available in the form of film coated tablet in doses of 150 and 300 mg, capsules in doses of 150 and 300 mg, oral solution in dose of 15 mg, and intramuscular/intravenous solution in dose of 25mg/ml. Zantac OTC is also available in the form of tablet in dose of 75 mg.

What is Pepcid? What is Pepcid used for?

Pepcid is a Brand name for a drug that contains famotidine as an active ingredient. It is available as a prescription and OTC product. It is approved by FDA since 1984. Same as Zantac, this drug belongs to the group of histamine H2- antagonists, and works by reducing the acid amount production in stomach.

Pepcid is used for the treatment and prevention of stomach and intestinal ulcers. It can be also used to treat hyperacidity conditions in the stomach, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pepcid indication is also gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions that cause heartburn such as indigestion or sour stomach after consumption of foods and drinking beverages that disagree with you.

Pepcid is available in the form of film coated tablets in doses of 20 and 40 mg, oral powder for suspension in the dose of 40mg/5ml and intravascular solution in dose of 10 mg. OTC Pepcid products are available in tablet form of 10 and 20 mg and also in the form of chewable tablet in dose of 20 mg.

How Zantac and Pepcid work in the body?

Ranitidine and Famotidine are histamine H2-receptor antagonists. H2 antagonists such as rantidine and famotidine are competitive inhibitors of histamine of the parietal cell H2 receptor in gastrointestinal tract. These drugs block normal acid secretion by parietal cells and also the meal-stimulated secretion of acid.

They do that by two mechanisms: ECL histamine release in the stomach is blocked from binding on H2 receptors of parietal cells which stimulate acid secretion, but also hormones that promote acid secretion such as gastrin and acetylcholine have a reduced effect on parietal cells when the H2 receptors are blocked.

Difference between Zantac and Pepcid

Both drugs are Histamine 2 blockers that work by reducing the gastric acid amount which is being produced by the stomach. Pepcid is more likely prescribed by doctors for patients who are having heartburn. Zantac, is on the other hand, prescribed for patients with gastric or intestinal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease and in extreme and rare cases for Zollinger-Ellison. Syndrome.

Both drugs can cause similar side effects, however there are some differences. In some very rare cases Zantac may cause jaundice, hepatitis, pneumonia, dizziness, nausea, and anemia. However one of the more common side effects that Zantac can cause is vitamin B12 deficiency which can often lead to diarrhea and persist for leading to dehydration. Also, there were some cases where Zantac develops in the breast milk of nursing women. Women who are nursing or pregnant should consult a doctor before taking Zantac.

Pepcid in other hand contains the inactive ingredients such as sucrose and lactose that can cause allergies in some predisposed patients. It can also cause side effects such as dizziness, anemia, nausea and diarrhea as a result of B12 deficiency. It also passes into breast milk for nursing women and should not be used during nursing. However Zantac is generally a more potent agent, despite the fact that there are more risks associated with it.

Zantac or Pepcid, Best medicine for acid reflux
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Can I take Zantac and Pepcid at the same time?

Both drugs belongs to the same class of drugs, they are both H2-antagonists so there is not much reason and need to take them together because you will double the dose of same class drugs. Either of drugs in full dose should be taken if it is really needed. If acid reflux is very strong, combination of antacid drug with IPP drug such as pantoprazole should be taken.

Are Zantac and Pepcid good for Asian glow?

Asian Glow is a skin reaction common to many Asian people that can occur when they drink alcohol. It is also known as Asian Flush, Asian Red Face, Alcohol Flush Reaction and Oriental Flushing Syndrome.

Studies showed that Asian glow is actually a genetic inability in some people to properly metabolize alcohol which is in first step normally metabolized by liver enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase into the toxic chemical acetaldehyde which if it is not further metabolized by enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase may induces flushing through histamine release. Many Asian people have aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency which may lead to acetaldehyde accumulation and increased risk of causing side effects.

Zantac and Pepcid can be helpful in such people as they can significantly reduce symptoms if taken before alcohol consumption. H2 receptors can be also found in vascular smooth muscle, where it mediates vasodilation. By blocking histamine H2 receptors, Zantac and Pepcid can effectively reduce flushing.

Can I give Zantac or Pepcid to a dog?

Zantac is not designed for animals, however many vets prescribe this drug for a dog. It should be given on empty stomach and doses should never exceed 1 mg per pound of dog body weight once or twice a day

Pepcid is designed especially for humans, but studies showed that this drug is in general effective and safe for a dog. It can heal stomach ulcers in dogs, but owners should always consult their veterinarian before they give Pepcid to a dog. It should be given on empty stomach and doses should never exceed 0.5 mg per pound of their body weight once or twice a day.

Zantac and Pepcid during pregnancy

Ranitidine from Zantac has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. That means that, animal studies have failed to find the evidence of fetal harm. There are also no controlled studies in human pregnancy. Ranitidine is known to cross the placenta, although it has been used safely during labor and delivery for the prevention of Mendelson’s syndrome. Ranitidine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Famotidine from Pepcid has been given to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of fetal damage. There are also no controlled studies in human pregnancy. Famotidine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

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