On Friday I went to pick up my 4 mo. old and her eyes started rolling around in circles for a couple of seconds. Then her eyes would jerk from side to side periodically throughout the day, especially when I picked her up or laid her down. I took her to the doctor and they admitted her to the hospital for observation and testing. By Friday evening the eye movements had stopped. She had no unusual body movements or jerking, just in her eyes. We were released from the hospital on Saturday with no answers, except for one possible cause, which my husband and I suspected from the beginning. She has been on Ranitidine (Zantac) for two months for reflux. She has been on a very tiny dose, but it was becoming ineffective so we just increased her dose this past week. She had her largest dose the morning that the unusual eye movements began and the movements stopped around 8 pm that evening when the medication normally wears off and it's time for another dose. The doctors said there's no way to prove that it was from the medication, but they definitely wouldn't rule it out since antacids work on the central nervous system. We have quit using the medication and she hasn't had any eye movements since. I was wondering if any of you have experienced anything like this or if your babies have had any unusual side effects to an antacid?
Nystagmus (rapid uncontrolled eye movement) has been shown to be a possible side effect of Zantac use in children. Google it with that term and you should be able to find some things that tell a little about it. I'm glad you stopped giving it to her since she may have had this reaction. I would ask the doctor if there is an alternative treatment for her.
Best of luck!
Christi
Havent had that experience but it does sound like it was the medication.
Zantac is VERY commonly given out by doctors.. being a first time (didnt know much) mom I just said "oh.. you have a medicine so my baby wont wake up and spit up everywhere?! AWESOME!) he was prescribed it for his acid reflux, he loved the medicine (I usually only gave him half the dose they said to) and it worked miracles. He never had any kind of reaction to it at all, but from the explanation you give it sounds like it was the Zantac. I'm sure you're going to "cover all your bases" :)
The issue isn't antacids per say. Maybe. The Doctors don't even know, as they told you.
But your baby is so young.
And, perhaps from increasing her dosage... without knowing how much to do it by and IF you can do that, it caused a reaction.
If her antacid, was seemingly ineffective... then tell the Pediatrician. Before increasing dosage.
In a newborn, their organs/kidneys are not yet fully developed nor their nervous system. But as the Doctor said, there is no way to singly attribute her reaction, to the antacid.
For 'antacids' our Pediatrician said that only to give Maalox.
And to NEVER give a baby or child, that "pink" liquid stuff. (sorry I forget the name of it) because it is not for babies/young children and causes some kind of problem.
Anyway, I'm not a doctor.
But, maybe just look up Zantac online and its side effects. And look up, side effects of Antacids in newborns, in general.
Sounds to me that it was the medication that may have caused this.You didnt' mention why she was put on this med. I'm not sure but I have to ask if there is Epilepsy in your family? Pls. dont' panic, this sounds likes she may have had a seizure due to the meds' and you increasing the amt. Just watch for any other signs now that she is off of it. As well you didn't mention as to why she was put on itl. She is very young to be put on this type of meds. I would go to your home page and check into signs and symptoms of this medication in the very youngl Med Help line is a very good source to for this. I myself would ask your Dr. to do an MRI on her to find the root of the problem. You may just find that something on Medhelp Line. I know myself I was put on stomach meds' due to upset stomach(Stress Related) and I myself in the last 4yrs. never experienced such a reaction. Again, as I said pls. dont' hit the panic button as of yet, get to the bottom of why this happened. If it is something to do with Epilepsy there are meds' for this that work very effectively. Again I am not saying that this is something that she may have however have your bases covered. If she has had nothing like this happen prior to it is quite obvious that the dosage is to high for her little body to handle. I wish you much luck in this situation but pls. cover all of your bases. Hope this helps. she may just have Petite Mal Epilepsy.Sending you a Big Hug and I will pray for her . Take care and again, pls do not hit the Panic Button.
