URGENT: Worldwide recall of common heartburn drug over cancer fears
A popular medicine for heartburn and stomach ulcers known as Zantac has been urgently recalled in all markets over fears that it’s contaminated with a chemical that’s linked to cancer.
The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) at the UK’s Department of Health has sent an alert to healthcare professionals, calling for all unexpired stocks of four types of Zantac to be returned. These four types are made by GlaxoSmithKline.
The recall is due to the possible contamination of ranitidine, which is the active substance in the medication that reduces stomach acid levels. There is an impurity that is linked to the development of certain cancers.
Traces of the impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) are found in some food and water supplies, but can be dangerous at higher concentrations.
The four affected products, which are all prescription-only medicine are:
- Zantac 150mg/10ml Syrup,
- Zantac 50mg/2ml Injection
- Zantac 150mg Tablets
- Zantac 300mg Tablets
Doctors have been told to stop supplying the product immediately and to return all remaining stock to their supplier, according to The Independent.
It’s important to note that over-the-counter products that also bear the Zantac name are made by a different company and therefore are unaffected.
Dr Andrew Gray, MHRA deputy director of inspections, enforcement and standards, said: “Whilst this action is precautionary, the MHRA takes patient safety very seriously.
“Patients should keep taking their current medicines but should speak to their doctor or pharmacist if they are concerned and should seek their doctor’s advice before stopping any prescribed medicines.”
He added: “Currently, there is no evidence that medicines containing nitrosamines have caused any harm to patients, but the agency is closely monitoring the situation, and working with other regulatory agencies around the world.”