An over-the-counter medicine used to combat the effects of a poor diet has been determined to potentially make people sick. As a histamine-2 blocker, ranitidine is formulated to ease heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach. Its prescription counterpart treats stomach ulcers and GERD. Due to the discovery of danger in one of its ingredients, the FDA asked stores in Ohio and elsewhere to remove ranitidine from their shelves.
Solving one problem leads to another
Ranitidine has a strong track record of providing effective relief for stomach-related ailments. One of its most popular products is Zantac. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled ranitidine due to the discovery of traces of a cancer-causing carcinogen found in the drug. A nitrosamine impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is found in Zantac, is an environmental pollutant that is not only found in ranitidine but also food and water.
The FDA is tasked with keeping Americans safe with respect to health and beauty products, vaccines, tobacco, medical devices, and more. It issues recalls, such as the Zantac recall, to protect the public and provide oversight to many industries whose products impact public health. As such, it is the agency that discovered NDMA in heart failure and blood pressure medications as well, and it also issued recalls for unacceptable levels of nitrosamines found therein.
Help is still available
While some effective relief for stomach problems has been recalled, the good news is that not all medicines addressing the same issues have been removed. Heartburn and acid indigestion medicines without ranitidine can still be purchased over the counter. If you are taking prescription ranitidine products, it is recommended that you discuss any changes with your doctor.
