Drugstores Are Suspending Sales of Heartburn Medicine Zantac Due to This Health Concern

Walgreens just became the latest retailer to suspend sales of Zantac, a heartburn medicine from Sanofi.

Zantac, as well as other generic ranitidine products have been suspended while the U.S. FDA reviews their safety.

Walgreens wrote, “We are removing Zantac and ranitidine products from our shelves while the FDA continues its review of the products.”

It was this past weekend that CVS Health had said it was discontinuing sales of the medicine and its generic ranitidine products.

It was earlier this month that online pharmacy company Valisure had alerted the FDA that Zantac includes an impurity that could cause cancer.

“The FDA is not calling for individuals to stop taking ranitidine at this time; however, patients taking prescription ranitidine who wish to discontinue use should talk to their health care professional about other treatment options,” the FDA stated.

“We are working closely with the FDA and are conducting our own robust investigations to ensure we continue to meet the highest quality safety and quality standards,” Sanofi told CNBC.

Sanofi said it remains “committed to being transparent with our patients and consumers and will share an update when one is available.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article