Hi Michelle,

There is an article by the Harvard Health Publications that seems to say there is no reason to believe that antacids would cause dementia. You can read the full article here, but below is an excerpt:

"The best proof that aluminum was largely responsible for dialysis dementia came as its incidence declined markedly when aluminum was removed from the dialysis fluid. This is now a rare syndrome. For people not on dialysis, it is harder to believe that aluminum causes dementia, in part because the amount of aluminum in drinking water is so minimal compared to the relatively massive amounts in common antacids, and the latter do not seem to cause neurological problems."

While dementia is not a listed side effect of either drug, there are precautions listed for Zantac and warnings that if unlikely symptoms appear such as the patient experiences mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations) to alert the doctor immediately. In Pepcid, the following is listed as a rare but serious side effect and again the doctor should be notified immediately if the patient experiences mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations.) You can read about Zantac here, and Pepcid here.

Hope this helps. While online sites are great for gathering the information to ask all the right questions, nothing takes the place of your doctor's solid medical advice. Make sure you write down all the questions you have for your father's doctor and don't be afraid to ask for alternative treatments if the current one does not appear to be doing the best it can for your dad.

Take care and stay in touch! Let us know how you are doing!

Vicki M