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Zantac and Weight Gain

Based on clinical trials of Zantac, weight gain does not seem to be a side effect of the medication. Although there appears to be no relationship between Zantac and weight gain, you should still notify your healthcare provider if you experience an unexplained gain in weight while on the drug. He or she can suggest ways for dealing with such a weight gain.

 

Zantac and Weight Gain: An Overview

There are a number of possible side effects with
 Zantac® (ranitidine hydrochloride). Weight gain, however, does not appear to be one of them. This is based on data from clinical trials in which Zantac was extensively studied and its side effects were documented.
 
Before medicines are approved, they must go through several clinical studies where 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 (common) and those that occur in less than 1 percent of people (rare). Weight gain was not reported as either a common or rare side effect of Zantac.
 
If you are noticing unexplained weight gain with Zantac, talk to your healthcare provider. He or she can give you suggestions for dealing with any weight gain, including information about possible lifestyle changes that may help. If the weight gain continues, he or she may also recommend possibly switching to another medicine.
 
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;