Amid FDA Concerns, CVS Pulls Zantac From Store Shelves

WOONSOCKET, RI — Amid recent concerns from the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CVS Pharmacy has stopped selling the heartburn medication Zantac and its own CVS Health brand product containing ranitidine. Zantac and other ranitidine products have not been recalled at this time and the FDA has not asked patients to stop taking these products.

The company said the decision was made out of an abundance of caution after the FDA issued a product alert saying the ranitidine products could contain low levels of nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, which is a probable human carcinogen.

Even though the products have not bee recalled, customers can return them to CVS Pharmacy locations for a full refund.

The FDA is currently investigating whether the levels of NDMA pose a risk to users. According to the release, the levels are not much higher than those found in common foods.

Ranitidine is an over-the-counter medication called an H2 blocker that is taken to help control and prevent heartburn. CVS will continue to sell other H2 blockers such as Pepcid, Tagamet and their generics.

Anyon with questions is encouraged to reach out to a CVS Pharmacist or their primary care provider.