Drugstores pulling Zantac off shelves over carcinogen fears

Date: Oct 01 2019

“CVS Pharmacy has suspended the sale of all Zantac brand and CVS Health brand ranitidine products until further notice,” the pharmacy wrote in a press release. “This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution due to a recent Product Alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that ranitidine products may contain a low level of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a probable human carcinogen.”

The removals have set off more alarm bells regarding the safety of the medicine, the details of which were contained in a Sept. 13 report from the FDA. In it, the FDA explains that Zantac is a brand name for a drug known as ranitidine, an over-the-counter medicine that works to lower stomach acid, alleviating everything from ulcers to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although it notes that scientists have found the drug to contain “low levels” of NDMA, they add that it’s a “known environmental contaminant” that’s also present in “water and foods including meats, dairy products and vegetables.”

The FDA does not mention a recall — a step that it’s taken for other medicines with higher levels of the contaminant — but does suggest consumers who are worried look at other options. “The FDA is not calling for individuals to stop taking ranitidine at this time; however, patients taking prescription ranitidine who wish to discontinue use should talk to their health care professional about other treatment options,” the report reads. “People taking OTC ranitidine could consider using other OTC medicines approved for their condition. There are multiple drugs on the market that are approved for the same or similar uses as ranitidine.”