Ranitidine side effects

[Mummytwosons]

Hi all.
My ds has got reflux, gaviscon was ok but because it thickened milk he wouldnt finish feeds and was taking over an hour to have 3oz. Hes 14weeks tomorrow and was having 6oz. Doctor prescribed ranitidine but hes got so much worse. Screaming, arching his back, drawing his legs up, going bright red etc. Has anyone else had worse experience with ranitidine ?

From what I remember (ages ago), the amount of ranitidine had to be carefully calculated based on the baby's weight, and they'd have to recalculate it every couple of weeks or so, or else it would not be as effective (and would cause acid to come up). Could it be that it's not the right amount? Sympathies, as it is such an awful time!

I dont think so , the doctor checked then double checked. He weighs 14lb 4oz and was prescribed 0.5 ml 3 times a day. A friend suggest giving him carabel so just got some to thicken the feed a bit.

My son weighs 12lb9 and is on 1.14ml 3 times a day x

Ranitadine didn't seem to make a blind bit of difference (good or bad) to my boy... but a friend's baby was cmpa (dairy allergy) and she swears the baby reacted to ranitadine. I don't know if this is even possible but maybe worth me throwing that thought into the mix. So sorry- it's so rubbish when you don't know what to do to help them. I've been through it and it's so hard.

He weighs 14lb 4oz and was prescribed 0.5 ml 3 times a day.

This is the minimum dosage (just over 1mg per kg of weight) so it is not surprising that it is not making a difference. I would go back to GP and ask them to review the prescription. Most paediatricians (who deal with reflux on a daily basis) recommend to start with a higher dosage (2 to 3mg per kg of weight) and go down to 1mg only when reflux is under control.

2 to 3mg per kg of weight would translate into ~0.9 to 1.3ml 3 times a day.

Actually, what worked for my DD was the combination of ranitidine and anti-reflux milk. Ranitidine on its own made things better but DD was still uncomfortable and miserable during feeds. Anti-reflux milk did help a lot.

Thanks for all your replies. Ds seems a a bit better with the carobel but is pooing for england now. Ive read a few posts were different amounts have been prescribed.
I was told to put it in his bottle but my friend told me she was told to put it straight in her babies mouth.. ..

Hi, my DD was on special care, we give her 0.4 three times a day in her mouth to ensure she gets it all (amount calculated by consultant) With the gaviscon we use a size 2 teat (you may need size 3) we also mix gaviscon with water as it goes through the bottle easier, which we was taught on special care, if you need the amount of water per sachet let me know. Hope he’s feeling better x

Hi,
Ds has been worse today. Constant crying after feeds and very bad runny poo.
I did think maybe i should change formula as hes on c&g comfort. Pretty sure he was misdiagnosed colic when he was 6weeks and it was actually reflux.

Personally I would put him back on gaviscon and mix it with water, that way it gets rid of the lumps in gaviscon and use a size 2 teat, if he is still slow at feeding try size 3. How much gaviscon do you give per feed? Also with rinitidine get a 1ml syringe and put in the side of his cheek. If you don’t see a difference in a week then I’d go back to GP. My daughter also had coluc as well as reflux, she cried every night from 4.30 until 9 which stopped at after 12 weeks. I hope this helps, I’m no expert x