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Zantac, other heartburn medicine may have low levels of cancer-causing contaminant, FDA says

FDA says drugs still safe to use
Posted at 10:54 AM, Sep 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-13 14:26:33-04

The FDA announced in a press release Friday that trace levels of a cancer-causing substance have been found in Zantac and other heartburn medicines.

According to the FDA, low levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, were found in the drug Ranitidine, a medicine used to treat extreme heartburn and acid reflux. Zantac is name-brand Ranitidine drug.

The FDA says that consumers should continue to take Zantac and similar drugs while it continues its investigation, and anyone who feels they should stop taking the drug should speak to a doctor first.

The FDA says it is currently "evaluating the risk to patients" and will provide more information as it becomes available.

In July 2018, the FDA discovered NDMA in some blood pressure medications, prompting a recall.