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Zantac and Depression

It is possible to experience certain side effects while taking Zantac, and depression was reported in less than 1 percent of patients in clinical studies of the drug. Most of the people who reported experiencing depression with Zantac in clinical trials were elderly and very ill. If you develop symptoms of depression, such as feelings of hopelessness and pessimism, while on Zantac, be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider. Even if it's not a side effect of Zantac, depression should be treated.

 

Is Depression a Zantac Side Effect?

There are several possible side effects for people taking Zantac® (ranitidine hydrochloride). Depression does appear to be one of the more rare side effects reported in Zantac clinical studies.
 

Understanding Clinical Studies

Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies in which thousands of people are given a particular medicine and compared to a group of people not given the medicine.
 In these studies, side effects are always documented. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine. Side effects are then usually separated into those that occur in more than 1 percent of people and those that occur in less than 1 percent of people.
 
For people taking Zantac, depression was rarely reported as a side effect. In these studies, most of the people who reported depression while taking Zantac were older people that were very ill.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;