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Compare Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

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

Key takeaways

Ranitidine (Zantac) and Rolaids (calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide) are both used to treat heartburn, but they belong to different medication classes. Ranitidine is a histamine H2 antagonist that was also used for stomach and intestinal ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) before it was discontinued in the U.S. due to safety concerns. Rolaids, on the other hand, is an antacid that provides fast relief for heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. Ranitidine was available in oral and injectable forms, while Rolaids is available over-the-counter as chewable tablets. Ranitidine is no longer available due to a recall, whereas Rolaids can still be purchased without a prescription. Rolaids may interact with other medications by affecting their absorption, and it can cause high blood calcium levels, especially in people with certain health conditions. In contrast, ranitidine was recalled due to the presence of NDMA, a potential cancer-causing impurity.

  • Ranitidine
    Rolaids
  • Ranitidine
    Rolaids

  • Summary of Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

    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 Antacid

    Rolaids is a combination medication containing calcium and magnesium. It provides fast symptom relief for heartburn and indigestion.

  • Indications of Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

    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
    •Heartburn
    •Indigestion
    •Relief of sour stomach

  • Pros and Cons of Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

    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 Antacid
    Pros
    •Provides fast relief for heartburn and indigestion
    •Can buy over the counter (OTC), without a prescription
    •There are tablets and soft chews in a variety of flavors (Rolaids brand)
    Cons
    •Doesn't last as long as other heartburn medications, like famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec)
    •Not meant for long-term use
    •Interacts with the absorption of some other medications, such as certain antibiotics

  • Common Side Effects of Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

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

    See Risks and Warnings

  • Warnings of Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of hiding symptoms of a more serious problem
    •Medication interactions
    •Allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Medication interactions
    •High blood calcium

  • Prices with our coupons for Zantac vs. Calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide

    Learn more about Ranitidine
    Learn more about Rolaids

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