I am just wondering if anyone has stopped Zantac. My LO started solids at 4 1/2 months...and has been doing much better! I called the gastro to report to him....and he told me to take her off the Zantac. She is on 1.3 ml x 2 a day. She hasn't had an increase in the meds since she was 2 mos old. We took her off....and it was a NIGHTMARE!!!! She was screaming all day, and went back to arching her back during feedings! She also spit up tons and tons!! I put her back on the meds....she was only off for 24 hours!!!!
Has anyone had experience stopping Zantac....did you wean them off or just stop cold turkey????
My gastro knows she is back on the meds....he wants to discuss it again at our appt in 2 weeks.......I don't want to take her off again!!!!!

Usually zantac is weaned but not by cutting down the dose. They usually just let baby outgrow the dose and then when the parents are comfortable they can take them off completely.
I'm sorry it didn't go well:sad5:
I had to take Eric off his zantac several times when he was an infant because of his constipation, and it was no fun at all.
:hug: :hug: :hug:
When Eric was around 1 year I stopped giving it to him and noticed no difference at all and thought YEA! it's finally over, but no such luck, he was just already so sick because he outgrew his dose (or the zantac just plain didn't work for him anymore) that there wasn't a change to notice KWIM?
So really it's kind of a good thing that she let you know loud and clear that's she's not ready yet. Nothing makes you feel worse than not knowing your own baby is sick, and just thinking "this is just how he is." I still feel guilty over it.

Don't be scared of the next med free trial, just concentrate on the now. Right now she still needs it, but you have to keep trying. Always have the hope that each and every time you try it will work. More likely than not someday it will.

Thanks for the advice....
I really thought she was ready.....since she hasn't had an increase in her dose for so long.....but I guess she still needs what she is getting!!!! I will have to see what the gastro says at our next visit!

Hi there, so sorry I am late on posting on this. Zantac is usually weaned slowly. It is great that she hasn't had an increase in ages, that is a good sign that she will eventually outgrow it.

When you do wean her, just do it slow every week or so drop half a ml and see her reaction. Doing it this way, even if she isn't ready to come off it, you may be able to reduce the dose.

I am actually wondering if she needs an increase....her reflux almost seems to be getting worse to me....she is spitting up a lot more, arching her back, and seems uncomfortable again....we have an appointment next week, so I will chat with the gastro then.......

I am sorry it did not work out. I hope the GI will have a good plan for her at the apt.

I would have to question a few things.

Did she gain a good amount of weight (normal growth curve) during the time she started on the dose to the time she was taken off the Zantac? If she only gained a very little bit, then it would not matter KWIM? If she did gain well, then chances are indeed you are seeing signs that she is outgrowing the reflux. You are already seeing good signs by her intake (eating). :)

Stopping cold turkey can be a problem. Most people do wean slowly and see better success.

I would also have to question if she truly needs an increase suddenly. If she did so well for awhile and then just suddenly flared up, take a look at possible causes for reflux flares:

*illness
*teething
*change in diet
*change in meds
*vaccines
*constipation

There are a whole bunch of things which can cause a flare, so I would eliminate that first.

Zantac is the gentlest of the reflux meds. As Minnie said, you are usually left without an increase so that the child 'outgrows' the dose. One thing that most people do not know (unless you have a very forthcoming GI ;)) is that the vast majority of people find it 'times out' on them. That is, it does not remain effective for long stretches of time. If Zantac is to be used for a long while, they usually switch to a PPI as it is far more effective. It is up to your GI to decide whether or not to go this route based on your daughter's symptoms and progress.

Keep us posted on how it goes.