CVS pulls heartburn medications from shelves after carcinogen risks

Amy Baxter | | Health Exec | Management

CVS Pharmacy has pulled Zantac and other ranitidine products to treat heartburn, including CVS’ own brand, from its shelves following recalls and risks that the products contain probable human carcinogens.

CVS made the announcement following a recall from drugmakers for ranitidine products after the FDA discovered trace amounts of a nitrosamine impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)––a probable human carcinogen that could cause cancer. Sandoz, a division of Novartis, announced it was halting the distribution of generic Zantac as the drug is investigated. Brand name Zantac has not been recalled nor has CVS’ brand of ranitidine.

“The FDA is continuing to evaluate whether low levels of NDMA in ranitidine pose a risk to patients,” a statement from CVS reads. “The levels that FDA is finding in ranitidine from preliminary tests barely exceed amounts found in common foods.”

In its recommendations, the FDA noted patients taking heartburn medications made from ranitidine products can consider the benefits to outweigh the cancer risks. 

CVS plans to continue selling other heartburn medications, such as Pepcid, Tagamet and their generic equivalents.

Amy Baxter
Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

Related Content

Nonprofit academic hospital receives criticism after running Super Bowl ad
Hospital delays opening after vandals sledgehammer holes into walls
Cigna announces changes to improve prior authorization, customer satisfaction
UnitedHealthcare in dispute with maternity practice over $1M in claims
DEA wants to permanently anchor some COVID-era prescription regulations
Sesame Street is coming to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
American Heart Association highlights importance of NIH as battle over Trump funding cuts continues

“Now more than ever, we must recognize that our country’s leadership in groundbreaking medical research spurs scientific innovation, improves public health and creates new innovations that save and improve lives nationwide,” Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, explained in a statement. 

Cardiovascular Business
Cardiologist questions FDA’s approval process for high-risk medical devices

The technology used to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular disease is always evolving, keeping FDA officials quite busy. But have the agency's standards been slipping in recent years? A cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explored that very question.

Cardiovascular Business
FDA announces new recall of Johnson & Johnson heart pumps over safety concerns

No devices need to be returned at this time. However, the FDA warned, using these heart pumps without reviewing the updated instructions could result in "serious injury or death.”