Zantac: CVS latest to suspend heartburn drug over cancer fears

[Right_in_Virginia]

Zantac: CVS latest to suspend heartburn drug over cancer fears
BBC, Sep 29, 2019

US retailer CVS has become the latest to suspend the sale of a heartburn drug being investigated for links to cancer.

It follows concern in several countries over the presence of impurities in Zantac and other ranitidine products.

Canada and France have already announced Zantac recalls. The US and the European Union are investigating.

Health authorities say there is no immediate risk, but patients have been advised to consult a doctor who can prescribe alternatives to ranitidine.

What is the fear about?

On 13 September, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published their decisions to review the presence of  N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in medicines containing the drug ranitidine.

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.

NDMA is found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables, but is not expected to cause harm when ingested in very low levels, EMA says.

Ranitidine products are used to reduce the production of stomach acid in patients with conditions such as heartburn and stomach ulcers.

They are available over-the-counter and on prescription.


More: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-49868852

[Applewood]

So Zantac is dangerous; we're going to stop selling it; but if you have Zantac, keep on taking it. 

Is that a load of BS or what?

Every drug has a risk of harm.  So how bad is the risk of cancer from Zantac?  Someone give us a straight answer. 

[PeteS in CA]

It follows concern in several countries over the presence of impurities in Zantac and other ranitidine products.

I take this to mean that the problem is with impurities that got into the production process, not with properly produced ranitidine.

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) on the basis of animal studies.

NDMA is found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables, but is not expected to cause harm when ingested in very low levels, EMA says.

I take this to mean that there is uncertainty whether NDMA is a carcinogen at all (assuming one does not consume several pounds a day, of course).