Zantac Cancer Recall
After the discovery that Zantac and its generics contain extremely high levels of the carcinogenic NDMA, the Food & Drug Administration has encouraged all sellers to pull the heartburn medication off of the market.
Reynolds & Reynolds would like to share our sincere appreciation to the FDA for their decision to withdraw all forms of OTC and prescription forms of Zantac and its derivatives that contain N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
What is NDMA?
NDMA is a chemical that is commonly ingested in normal diets. In general, it is safe at low levels. However, a recent investigation performed by Valisure pharmacy found that a high level of NDMA is found in many ranitidine products (better known by its brand name, Zantac). Due to the link between the drug and some cancers such as bladder, kidney, esophageal, prostate, lymphoma, leukemia, stomach, and small intestine, the FDA has called for the drug to be taken off shelves.
What Did the Study Find?
Originally, this product was not found to contain enough NDMA to prompt the FDA to make this recommendation. However, later studies by the FDA, as well as other third-party laboratories, came back with increasingly concerning data. This new data showed that the NDMA levels in ranitidine products increase as the product ages. The study goes on to show that these levels increase even faster if the product is exposed to warmer temperatures. The alarming conclusion was that older drugs would have incredibly high levels of NDMA. In addition to asking manufacturers to pull their products, the FDA also encourages consumers to consider alternative treatments.
Once again, Reynolds & Reynolds would like to applaud the FDA in their decision. Around 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from heartburn, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, with nearly 15 million using prescription-strength ranitidine, and millions of others who use the OTC versions. This decision will save lives, and we thank them for that.
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