FDA Says Zantac, Other Ranitidine Drugs, Contain Probable Carcinogen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Food and Drug Administration says it has learned that some ranitidine drugs, including Zantac, contain low levels of a probable human carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables, according to the Sept. 13 alert.

“The FDA has been investigating NDMA and other nitrosamine impurities in blood pressure and heart failure medicines called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) since last year,” the agency explained. “In the case of ARBs, the FDA has recommended numerous recalls as it discovered unacceptable levels of nitrosamines.”