Buyer beware: Zantac, which was recalled in October by pharmaceutical company Sanofi due to its potential cancer risk, has not been pulled from all store shelves.
While major pharmacy chains such as CVS and Walgreen’s no longer sell the popular heartburn drug due to an FDA warning, anecdotal evidence suggests that some smaller, local stores haven’t gotten the memo — or haven’t paid much attention to it.
Read More
Several other companies that make generic versions of Zantac (called ranitidine) also voluntarily recalled the over-the-counter drug. (These generic versions are sometimes sold under the names given to them by major chain-pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.)
RELATED: Another Company Recalls Its Generic Zantac What Should Heartburn Sufferers Take Instead?
“As a precautionary measure, Sanofi will conduct a voluntary recall of Zantac OTC (over-the-counter) in the U.S. and Canada,” read the statement that Sanofi issued about the recall. “This recall is being taken due to possible contamination with a nitrosamine impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The company is working with health authorities to determine the level and extent of the recall.”
In response to a question about why Zantac is still available to purchase at some local grocery stores in the wake of the recall, the head of consumer healthcare at Sanofi, Suzanne Jacobson, told SurvivorNet, “the responsibility of recall notification to Bodegas falls on the wholesalers that sold them the product.” Regardless of whether these wholesalers adequately distributed the message, the drug is still out there — making it all the more important that consumers know about the potential risk.
Shortly after the FDA’s initial warning, SurvivorNet spoke with Dr. Jamie Koufman, one of country's leading experts in acid reflux and heartburn, and she told us that, for now at least, it's probably a good idea for people who take Zantac to switch to another heartburn drug such as Tagamet or Pepcid, which are both in the same drug "class" as Zantac.
Dr. Koufman added that, despite the recall, she sees little reason to worry. "In all my years treating patients, I have yet to see major side effects from Zantac," Dr. Koufman said. "But I'm not recommending [Zantac] at this time until all the data comes in [to the FDA]."
What to Know About Zantac and Cancer Risk
- Zantac is a type of drug called an "H2 blocker," which helps the stomach produce less acid. Pepcid and Tagamet work the same way.
- The generic drug name for Zantac is "ranitidine." Different companies sell it under various names, e.g., Walgreens' generic version is called "Wal-Zan.""
- The concerning chemical found in Zantac, NDMA, is classified as a "probable carcinogen," meaning that it could cause cancer in humans. To date, there is only scientific evidence that the chemical causes cancer in animals, but testing in humans has yet to produce conclusive results.
- NDMA is also found in trace amounts in water and certain foods, including grilled meats.
- The best way to treat heartburn is to adjust what you eat and when you eat it. "No medicine by itself can cure reflux," Dr. Koufman said. "It's all related to diet and lifestyle."
- The most important change you can make: Don’t eat late at night. When lie down with a full, undigested stomach, the acid is more likely to reflux into the esophagus, Dr. Koufman said, explaining that gravity is an important part of digestion. Cutting back on alcohol and soda can help with heartburn, too.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.