SMSThe FDA has found certain over-the-counter heartburn medicines may contain a probable carcinogen.
In a statement released Friday, the FDA said some ranitidine medicines, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter heartburn medicines, contain low levels of a compound called NDMA. NDMA is classified as "a probable human carcinogen," or a substance that could cause cancer.
Specifically, the FDA said Zantac-brand heartburn medicines contained the NDMA impurity.
The FDA has been investigating NDMA since last year and "is evaluating whether the low levels of NDMA in ranitidine pose a risk to patients."
The FDA does not currently recommend that ranitidine users stop taking the drug. But it says people who would rather avoid it can use a different OTC heartburn medicine or ask their health care provider about an alternative prescription drug.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
