Can Ranitidine make Reflux worse?

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Permalink Reply by Sim on September 18, 2008 at 18:03

would be interested in seeing any replies as my duaghter, 15 weeks tmrw, has just started ranitidine. been on gaviscon for 3 weeks but seemed to get worse in regards to discomfort and crying. so hence the prescription for ranitidine. only had one dose so far so fingers crossed.

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Permalink Reply by sharon on September 18, 2008 at 19:27

Hi Tina it could be that the dose is not strong enough as it goes by weight and they tend to start off on a low dose and see if it works for them. Or it could be that it hasn't had time to work yet sometimes it can take a couple of weeks for it to work properly see how she goes a few more days and then ring whoever gave you it and ask for their advice.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on September 18, 2008 at 21:25

Hi Tina,

My baby was put on gaviscon and ranitidine at 13 wks too and he hated the ranitidine at first - he would try his best to spit it out and it made him cough, splutter, wretch and often vomit at first as it is quite bitter-tasting.
This only lasted about 10 days and now he is used to it. Bear in mind over the coming weeks that the dosage should increase as your daughter's weight goes up - my son started on 0.3 ml when he was 10lbs but by 14lbs his reflux had got worse again and his dosage needed incresing to 0.8 ml. Within 2 days he was ok again - your gp will be able to work out the correct dosage tho as your daughter grows.

Stick with it, your little girl will get used to the taste and it seemed to me to take a few days to take effect - he actually got worse before he got better but is a different baby altogether now :)

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Permalink Reply by Hazel Bell on September 18, 2008 at 22:05

Both my daughters had Ranitidine and my youngest is still on it. They do hate the taste at first ( if you get a tiny bit on your finger and taste some you'll see why ) but soon get used to it and now my 7 month old opens her mouth wide for it!!! I think that's coz she always gets a bottle after each dose! If the reflux is severe and has caused damage to the oesophagus it will take a while for the Ranitidine to work - 5 weeks in the case of my youngest - as it needs time to heal. Once is does start working though the difference can be quite dramatic. Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Tina on September 18, 2008 at 22:14

Thank you for all your replies, sounds like she will soon get used to it, she's on 0.5mls x3 times a day at the mo and was 11lb 5oz when last weighed.
thanks again for your help.
Tina x

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