Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Alka-Seltzer (citric acid/aspirin/sodium bicarbonate) and ranitidine (formerly known as Zantac) are both used to treat heartburn, but they belong to different medication classes. Alka-Seltzer is a combination of antacids and an NSAID, while ranitidine is a histamine H2 antagonist. Alka-Seltzer is available over-the-counter and comes in dissolvable tablets, whereas ranitidine was available in oral and injectable forms before being discontinued. Ranitidine was recalled due to the presence of NDMA, a potential cancer-causing impurity, and is no longer available in the United States. Alka-Seltzer can cause side effects like stomach bleeding and is not recommended for children under 12 or during pregnancy due to its aspirin content. Ranitidine, on the other hand, was generally well-tolerated but is no longer an option. If you need an alternative to ranitidine, medications like famotidine (Zantac 360) are available.

  • Alka-seltzer
    Ranitidine
  • Alka-seltzer
    Ranitidine

  • Summary of Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Summary for Antacid / NSAID

    Alka-Seltzer is a medication used to treat symptoms of heartburn, such as upset stomach and headache. While there are multiple products under this brand, this page focuses on the combination medication containing 3 active ingredients: citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and aspirin. It comes as tablets that are dissolved in water. You drink the mixture by mouth, typically every 4-6 hours as needed.

    Summary for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Prescription only

    Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces. It's used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. It was recalled in 2020 due to safety concerns about a chemical impurity, but it has since been reformulated and is now back on the market. Your dose depends on why you’re taking it, but it’s usually taken by mouth one to four times a day. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and feeling tired.

  • Indications of Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Indications for
    •Heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach with headache, body aches, or pain
    •Upset stomach and headache from having too much food or drink
    •Headache, body aches, and pain alone
    Indications for
    •Stomach ulcer
    •Intestinal ulcer
    •Heartburn (GERD)
    •Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to GERD
    •Other high-acid conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or mastocytosis)

  • Pros and Cons of Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Pros and Const for Antacid / NSAID
    Pros
    •Combination of three medications in a single pill
    •Easy to take for people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available over the counter
    Cons
    •Might not be safe for children 12 years old and younger
    •Might need to take multiple times per day
    •Might not be safe for people with certain health conditions (e.g. kidney problems, heart problems, high bleeding risk)
    Pros and Const for Histamine H2 antagonist
    Pros
    •Reduces stomach acid for ulcers and GERD
    •Can be used in adults and children
    •Works pretty quickly, within hours for GERD
    Cons
    •Might need to take multiple times a day
    •Interacts with many medications
    •Not as strong as PPIs for severe symptoms

  • Common Side Effects of Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Common Side Effects for

    See Risks and Warnings

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Tiredness
    •Dizziness
    •Diarrhea
    •Constipation
    •Stomach pain
    •Nausea

  • Warnings of Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Common Side Effects for
    •Stomach bleeding and ulcers
    •Reye's syndrome in children
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Medication interactions
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Alka-Seltzer vs. Zantac

    Learn more about Alka-seltzer
    Learn more about Ranitidine

Compare other Heartburn drugs

Alka Seltzer vs MaaloxAlka Seltzer vs NexiumAlka Seltzer vs NyquilAlka Seltzer vs OmeprazoleAlka Seltzer vs PantoprazoleAlka Seltzer vs PepcidAlka Seltzer vs PrevacidAlka Seltzer vs RolaidsAlka Seltzer vs TagametAlka Seltzer vs TumsAlka Seltzer vs ZantacAlka Seltzer vs ZegeridPantoprazole vs AciphexPantoprazole vs DexilantPantoprazole vs MaaloxPantoprazole vs OmeprazolePantoprazole vs Pepto BismolPantoprazole vs RolaidsPepcid vs MaaloxPepcid vs NexiumPepcid vs Pepto BismolPepcid vs PrevacidPepcid vs RolaidsPrevacid vs MaaloxPrevacid vs NexiumPrevacid vs Pepto BismolProtonix vs PepcidTagamet vs PepcidZegerid vs PantoprazoleZegerid vs Pepcid
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.