Links Between Zantac & Prostate Cancer
You might have heard that there's some link between Zantac (ranitidine) and prostate cancer. This is a misconception that arises out of the incidence of an uncommon sexual side effect among Zantac users and a myth about the cancer-preventive powers of medicines in Zantac's class. Here are the details to set you straight on Zantac and men's reproductive health.
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Zantac
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Zantac (ranitidine) is an over-the-counter medicine that treats excess acid stomach acid, which causes heartburn. It is in a class of antihistamines called H2 blockers or H2 antagonists. Zantac reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. It comes in varying strengths from 25 mg up to 300 mg, although the commonly available over-the-counter version is 75 mg. Zantac is available in effervescent tablet, pill, capsule, syrup and injectable forms.
Zantac side effects
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Zantac can produce symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat. Zantac can increase the risk of pneumonia and can be bad for people with kidney disease.
Serious side effects can include chest pain; fast or slow heart rate; shortness of breath; coughing up green or yellow mucus; easy bruising or bleeding; weakness; vision problems; fever, sore throat and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite; dark urine, clay-colored stools or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects can include headache; drowsiness or insomnia; dizziness; decreased sex drive, impotence or difficulty having an orgasm (this is where the myth about Zantac and prostate health arises); or swollen or tender breasts in men; diarrhea or constipation.
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Prostate Cancer
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The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that encircles the urethra just forward of the rectum. It is prone to infections and benign enlargement, and prostate cancer affects one in six men. It is also the most common cancer among non-smokers. Prostate cancer can be detected first through a simple manual rectal exam in your doctor's office; if he suspects something, he might order a blood test called Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Prostate cancer can often be treated successfully if detected early enough. Symptoms include painful urination, frequent urges, difficulty urinating or interrupted flow, erectile dysfunction and difficulty achieving orgasm, some of which can be side effects of Zantac as well.
H2 antagonist drugs and the prostate
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There was a hypothesis that one H2 antagonist, cimetidine, might help prevent prostate or breast cancer because of its ability to inhibit the binding of dihydrotestosterone to androgen receptors. A study published in the journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention" found that the incidence of prostate cancer was the same among users of cimetidine as among users of other H2 antagonists (including Zantac) and that the incidence of prostate cancer among users of all H2 antagonist drugs was the same as among the general population. In other words, no link was found between Zantac---or any drug in its class---and prostate cancer.
Men's sexual health
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There are things a man can do to help prevent prostate cancer and other prostate issues while improving general sexual health (including staving off erectile dysfunction and maintaining a strong libido). If you are using Zantac, these measures are especially important to prevent unpleasant sexual side effects.
Eat a diet low in fat and high in fiber and protein; stop smoking; reduce alcohol and caffeine; drink more water; get more exercise; and add supplements such as zinc, saw palmetto and horny goat weed to your diet. Always tell your doctor about the medications you're using, even over-the-counter ones like Zantac, as well as any supplements you're taking.
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References
- Photo Credit effervescence image by iMAGINE from Fotolia.com
