What Causes Mucus Stools While Taking Zantac For Acid Reflux?

Posted on Sat, 25 Jan 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 25 Jan 2014 Answered on

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. Yesterday I got a chiropractic adjustment for my insomnia and I think it helped. But, today, this morning, I have had mucusy stools. Not diahreah though. I did eat fresh mozzarella cheese for the first time in months. I also have been taking magnesium supplement, Calm, for sleep. Could that be it? I do have acid reflux and take zantac 150 but this has never happened so I am concerned.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: monitor the stool for abnormality Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this "mucusy" stools. I think by this you mean the stool was softer than usual. From the information you have provided, I think the cheese might have provided some sort of food intolerance in you resulting to this. It is however difficult to conclude solely on this. This is because magnesium salts are also used to treat constipation. This means it can also provoke some sort of liquid stools if ingested in quantities sufficient to retain enough fluids and make the stools softer. For now, I will not want to be too aggressive because this is a one time observation and we are not having sufficient information to make a definite call. I will recommend that you monitor the nature of stools and report to me in th coming days. If it should stay same or become more watery, then we may consider pausing with magnesium to see if it makes a difference. Zantac (Ranitidine) is not the cause of this mucusy stools. There is really no reason to get concerned right now unless new information suggests otherwise. I hope this addresses your query fully. Please feel free to ask for more clarifications or information if need be. I wish you well. Thanks. Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)

Thank you for your answer. It was very helpful. But, what I meant by mucusy stools was that there was a white jelly like substance accompanying them, one of the stools even looked white and this freaked me out. I have had a little bit of cramping throughout the day but nothing too major. I will continue to monitor the situation as you said and will get back to you if any other problems persist. Which I really hope don't. Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Thanks, too! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this follow up precision. Am sorry I interpreted mucusy otherwise. These symptoms are suggestive of food intolerance. With food intolerance, the system simply accelerates its passage and never really digests it. This can at times cause food to be present in stool in the same ingested form. Cramps are often present than not. Avoid any more of that cheese right now. Monitoring should be the only measure for now. Keep me updated if anything else should arise. I wish you well. Dr. Ditah, MD.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar