Mixing Zantac and alcohol is not advisable, and this combination should be avoided.

Alcohol does not mix well with most medications, even with many over-the-counter medications like Zantac. Zantac is the brand name of the drug ranitidine, an antihistamine that is used to reduce the symptoms of reflux.

Many people who use Zantac and alcohol wonder if it’s safe and whether side effects will occur. There is not a large amount of information about the impact of mixing Zantac and alcohol, but there is some research that discusses the safety of combining these substances.

Side Effects of Mixing Zantac and Alcohol

The main side effect that has been found to occur when alcohol and Zantac are mixed is that Zantac increases the effects of alcohol.

Zantac Interferes With Alcohol Processing in the Body

Alcohol is absorbed through your intestines and passes through the liver into the blood. Before the alcohol reaches the blood, it must pass through the liver. As it passes through the liver, a significant portion of the alcohol is changed by the liver so that it is not alcohol when it enters the bloodstream. Practically, this means that when someone takes a drink of alcohol, only a portion of it reaches the blood and causes intoxication.

When someone drinks alcohol and takes Zantac at the same time:

  • Zantac alters how the liver processes alcohol and causes the amount of alcohol that enters the bloodstream to be much higher than it would be normally
  • The amount of alcohol in their system will be higher than normal
  • It will be much easier to get drunk on a small amount of alcohol
  • It will take a significantly lower amount of alcohol than usual to become too drunk to drive or to cause toxic levels of alcohol
  • Zantac makes it much easier to overdose on alcohol

Besides increasing the amount of alcohol that enters the system, the only other reported side effect of mixing Zantac and alcohol is that it will raise the heart rate. A high heart rate could be dangerous if someone is prone to passing out or has an underlying heart condition.

Key Points: Zantac and Alcohol

Ultimately, it is best not to mix Zantac and alcohol. It is possible for most people to take Zantac with small amounts of alcohol safely, but it could be dangerous.

The dangers of mixing Zantac and alcohol include:

  • Increased effect of alcohol
  • Higher blood alcohol levels from the same amount of alcohol
  • Increased chance of overdosing on alcohol
  • Increased heart rate

If you are taking Zantac and drinking alcohol, consult with your physician before continuing to do so. Your physician can determine if it is safe for you based on your alcohol intake and frequency, and based on the amount of Zantac that you use.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

  • Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
  • The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
  • The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
  • The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
  • IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
  • The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
  • The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
  • The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
  • The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.
a woman in a black cardigan smiles at the camera.
Editor – Camille Renzoni
Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in mental health first aid and encourages people who face substance use disorders to ask for the help they deserve. Read more
a man with a beard wearing a suit and tie.
Medically Reviewed By – Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN
Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles within the ICU and ER settings. Read more
Sources

Medscape.com. “Ranitidine (Rx, OTC).” 2019. Accessed April 4, 2019

Arora, Sunil; Baraona, Enrique; & Lieber, Charles S. “Alcohol levels are increased in social d[…]receiving ranitidine.” The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Feb 2000. Accessed April 4, 2019.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Harmful Interactions.” 2014. Accessed April 2, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.