FDA finds cancer-causing chemical in heartburn medicine Zantac

Here's what you need to know about probable Carcinogen found in Zantac

Health regulators worldwide, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have learned that there is a possibility that stomach drug Ranitidine taken by millions of people could be tainted with a cancer-causing agent. According to FDA, the source of this contamination is currently being investigated.

Ranitidine belongs to a class of medicines known as H2 (histsamine-2) blockers, which work by blocking histamine receptors in the stomach and reducing the production of stomach acid. It is used to treat and prevent conditions caused by excess acid in the stomach such as heartburn and stomach ulcers.

It has been discovered that the drug sold under the brand-name Zantac (Ranitidine) contains low levels of an impurity,  N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) that is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Several blood pressure drugs have already been recalled after NDMA was found. Earlier this year, when Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Camber Pharmaceutical said they would recall products that contain losartan.



The probe came after Valisure, an online pharmacy company that tests all the medications it dispenses, alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that it had detected high levels of NDMA in both generic and brand versions of Zantac sold at major pharmacies. “There’s no acceptable cancer risk for a drug like this,” Valisure CEO Light said.

Zantac isn’t just taken by adults. It is also given to infants suffering from reflux in a syrup form that requires a prescription.



Patients who have any questions about their current treatment can speak to their doctor or pharmacist. There are several other medicines used for the same conditions as Ranitidine that could be used as an alternative for people who have been using it on prescription, or OTC.