Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below.

Detailed Answer:
hello and welcome XXXXX,

You seem to have severe acidity and hence taking so much rantac. The problem typically gets exaggerated in pregnancy as the uterus pushes the stomach up and changes its position leading to increased reflux of acidic juice.

Rantac has ranitidine which is a category B drug. This means that animal studies do not show any harm but human studies are not available. This is typical of many drugs as it is not possible to test the effects of drugs on human babies. It would be unethical and also no one will volunteer for it. So from the available data, this drug is safe.

Having said that excessive use of any drug is not good. If you have become dependant on the drug it will lead to hyperacidity [ we call it rebound acidity] once the drug is stopped. So you will need to wean yourself off it if possible.

I suggest that you eat a bland diet that does not have spices and cooked in very little oil. Eat frequent but small meals as if the stomach is too full, it tends to reflux its contents up wards leading to a burning in throat and abdominal discomfort. Drink boiled and cooled milk [ do not add anything to it especially chocolate drinks] in small quantities as it is a natural antacid.

Fruits like apple and water melon also help decrease acidity. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemon and lime as well as tamarind must be avoided as all are acidogenic. Do not sleep immediately after eating and sleep early. Take at least 8 hours sleep. All these help control acidity. You may use gelusil syrup one teaspoon full if the acidity is severe. Do not abruptly stop rantac as it will cause rebound acidity. Take it once daily for 2-3 days then alternate days and then twice a week and then stop if possible.

Iron also causes acidity so discuss witholding the iron tablets for a few days with your doctor until the acidity gets controlled. You may start with a different brand later to see if this was the cause of the excess acidity.
With these measures you should be better and need lesser drugs.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.     
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist

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