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Compare Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

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

Key takeaways

Ranitidine (Zantac) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) are both used to treat stomach-related conditions, but they belong to different medication classes. Ranitidine is a histamine H2 antagonist that was used for heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by reducing stomach acid. However, it was discontinued in the U.S. due to concerns about a cancer-causing impurity. Bismuth subsalicylate, on the other hand, is an antidiarrheal medication used to treat diarrhea and symptoms of an upset stomach, such as nausea and gas. It is available over-the-counter in various forms like chewable tablets and oral solutions. While ranitidine was available in oral and injectable forms, bismuth subsalicylate is only taken orally. Common side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include nausea, changes in taste, and dark-colored tongue or stools. Additionally, bismuth subsalicylate should not be used in children under 12 due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, and it can interact with blood thinners and NSAIDs, increasing the risk of bleeding.

  • Ranitidine
    Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
  • Ranitidine
    Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

  • Summary of Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    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.

    Summary for Antidiarrheal

    Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is a salicylate antidiarrheal medication. It's used to ease diarrhea and symptoms of an upset stomach (e.g., gas, nausea) in adults and kids ages 12 years and older. This medication is taken by mouth, typically once every 30 minutes to an hour, as needed. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is found over the counter in several different formulations, such as chewable tablets and oral solutions. Side effects of this medication include nausea, changes in taste, dark-colored tongue, and black stool.

  • Indications of Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    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)
    Indications for
    •Diarrhea
    •Travelers' diarrhea
    •Symptoms of upset stomach (e.g., heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching (burping), fullness)

  • Pros and Cons of Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    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
    Pros and Const for Antidiarrheal
    Pros
    •Treats a wide variety of stomach-related symptoms
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Available in chewable tablets or liquid for people who have difficulty swallowing pills
    •Can be taken with or without food
    Cons
    •Shouldn’t be taken for longer than 2 days
    •Can cause darkening of the tongue or stools
    •Might need to take it multiple times per day
    •Not for children less than 12 years of age due to higher risk of Reye's syndrome

  • Common Side Effects of Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache
    •Tiredness
    •Dizziness
    •Diarrhea
    •Constipation
    •Stomach pain
    •Nausea
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Bitter taste in mouth
    •Diarrhea
    •Dark-colored stools

  • Warnings of Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Medication interactions
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Reye's syndrome in children
    •Salicylate toxicity
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Zantac vs. Bismuth subsalicylate

    Learn more about Ranitidine
    Learn more about Bismuth subsalicylate

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