TREATMENT DATABASE

Zantac (ranitidine) is a histamine H2 receptor antagonists that inhibit acid secretion in the stomach. Tagamet, Zantac, and two other approved H2 blockers, Axid (nizatidine) and Pepcid (famotidine), are prescribed to treat heartburn and gastritis. Some urologists prescribe H2 blockers for interstitial cystitis when other medications are not tolerated.

USES IN ME/CFS: In 1985 Dr. Goldstein began to see his first cases of what was then called chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection (now CFS/ME). Using the same logic that he used to treat mononucleosis, Dr. Goldstein gave his patients Tagamet and Zantac. He found over the course of years that at least 20% of patients with ME/CFS responded favorably to treatment with H2 blockers. Although the cause of ME/CFS remains undetermined, it is known that there is activation of T suppressor cells, probably due to viral activity. It is believed that H2 blockers have a modulatory effect on the immune system in that they probably inhibit overproduction of lymphokines responsible for some of the flu-like symptoms of ME/CFS.

Several clinicians, including Dr. Charles Lapp, use H2 blockers to treat gastrointestinal symptoms as well as for immune system modulation. Dr. Murray Susser and Dr. Michael Rosenbaum used H2 blockers to treat immune system dysfunction.

Treatment rating for Zantac (ranitidine)