The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that samples of the popular heartburn drug Zantac (whose chemical name is ranitidine) were found to contain a contaminant called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
NDMA is the same chemical that was found in heart and blood pressure medications last year, which led to numerous recalls of the drug. It has been found to cause cancer in animals, and is classified as a “probable human carcinogen.”2
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the chemical forms as a byproduct of specific industrial processes. In fact, it has previously been used in the productions of rocket fuel.
It is also found in low levels in some foods, including certain dairy products and meat, and drinking water.
The FDA is not currently suggesting any recalls of ranitidine, nor is the agency telling consumers to stop taking the drug. Instead, the FDA is examining whether the low levels of NDMA found in the drug present a health risk to patients. Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement:
“Although NDMA may cause harm in large amounts, the levels the FDA is finding in ranitidine from preliminary tests barely exceed amounts you might expect to find in common foods.”2
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In light of this (unsettling) news, the FDA is advising individuals who take the prescription ranitidine but want to discontinue using the drug to talk with their health care provider first. Individuals taking over-the-counter (OTC) versions of ranitidine may wish to consider using a different OTC drug for their condition. The agency noted that there are multiple drugs approved for the same or similar uses.
