One of the most popular drugs for heartburn, reflux and ulcers is being pulled from the market amid concerns it can increase the risk of cancer. The FDA is asking pharmacies to immediately pull Ranitidine, the drug known as Zantac, off their shelves.
The FDA’s order reads, in part:
NDMA is a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer). In the summer of 2019, the FDA became aware of independent laboratory testing that found NDMA in ranitidine. Low levels of NDMA are commonly ingested in the diet, for example NDMA is present in foods and in water. These low levels would not be expected to lead to an increase in the risk of cancer. However, sustained higher levels of exposure may increase the risk of cancer in humans.
Bloomberg adds that many pharmacies had already pulled the drug over concerns that were raised last Fall:
The contamination was first flagged by online pharmacy Valisure, which tests all the drugs it dispenses for strength and impurities. Valisure asked the FDA to recall the drugs in September. NDMA is the same probable carcinogen that led to the recall of millions of heart pills beginning two years ago after it was found in ingredients used by a Chinese company that supplied a large number of the drugs to Americans.
The FDA says consumers who have the meds at home should stop taking them and dispose of them properly.
For those who wish to continue treating their condition, they should consider using other approved OTC products. Patients taking prescription ranitidine should speak with their health care professional about other treatment options before stopping the medicine, as there are multiple drugs approved for the same or similar uses as ranitidine that do not carry the same risks from NDMA. To date, the FDA’s testing has not found NDMA in famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or omeprazole (Prilosec).