CVS Halts Sale of Heartburn Treatment Zantac as FDA Warns of Contaminants

CVS has halted sales of popular heartburn treatment Zantac and its generic store brand after warnings by U.S. health regulators. It’s the latest precautionary move by retailers and manufacturers after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned consumers about a potentially dangerous contaminant in prescription and over-the-counter versions of Zantac. In its announcement this weekend, CVS said customers who bought Zantac products can return them for a refund. The retailer will continue to sell other heartburn medications. What’s the issue? In September, the FDA said it detected low levels of a probable cancer-causing chemical known as NDMA in Zantac and related generic drugs to treat ulcers and reflux disease. The same chemical has been linked to dozens of recalls of prescription blood pressure drugs in the past year. The agency said the amount found in Zantac products barely exceeds levels found in common foods such as meats, dairy products and chemicals. Even so, the warning has led some pharmacies and manufacturers to stop selling drugs containing Zantac’s active ingredient, ranitidine. What’s the reaction? CVS Health said Saturday it has pulled Zantac and its generic store brand, saying the move “is being taken out of an abundance of caution.” On Monday, Rite Aid said it’s removing Zantac and related drugs sold under its name from its shelves. Walgreens earlier said it’s removing Zantac products from shelves while...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized medicine onetime Source Type: news