On April 1, 2020, the FDA issued a safety warning for Zantac, a nonprescription dietary supplement. The Zantac recalled include both over-the-counter and prescription Zantac products. These products were among those that may interact with antacids, such as those containing ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Zantac was identified as one of the ingredients in medications that may interact with antacids, such as Tums, Motrin, Aspirin, Isotretinoin, and Acetazolamide. For more insight into medical recalls and lawsuits, go here.
In the United States, as many as seven million prescriptions containing ranitidine were provided to patients between November 2008 and March 2009, according to the FDA. Ranitidine is marketed under several names, including Zantac, Ritonav, Zantac plus Agitation, Zantac plus Osteoporosis, Zantac plus Citrucel, Zantac plus Maxalt, and Zantac plus Metronidazole. Ranitidine, when taken as an orally ingested drug, is usually taken to treat gastric or genito-urinary diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux). Some studies indicate that ranitidine can reduce the symptoms of migraine headaches in some people. However, in nonclinical studies, ranitidine has shown no significant effect on the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, acute or chronic. In some cases, side effects including confusion, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and fever have been reported.
The majority of the Zantac recalled products contained acetaminophen, and one product contained zantac, a combination of acetaminophen and phenylephrine. According to the FDA, this combination was taken to treat occasional heartburn or GERD. Acetaminophen is typically used for pain relief in all conditions other than gastroesophageal reflux disease. For example, aspirin is used for the relief of heartburn, but in some cases, aspirin is combined with other medications to treat acute or chronic inflammation and pain. However, Zantac did not list any other conditions that acetaminophen may treat, and there are no studies that compare the effectiveness of acetaminophen and other drugs for treating symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. You'll awnt to learn more about medical recalls and legal issues now.
In response to our investigation, the FDA issued a statement saying that it is not aware of any additional ranitidine products recalled due to the current outbreak of acetaminophen-related gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the agency noted that anyone who has taken this drug who also suffers from acute or chronic inflammation should not take the combination of medications. Acetaminophen should not be taken with any other medications that are known to cause inflammation or pain. The FDA does not know of any other cases in which this combination has been combined with other drugs, but it is best to stay alert for any possible dangers. The FDA will monitor any additional sold combination drugs for its safety, but at this time, it does not know of any danger to those who take it to treat their symptoms of GERD or acid reflux.
Also included in the Zantac recall were three different lotions for dry mouth, two different throat lozenges, and one moisturizer. All these products were sold without a prescription. The lotions and throat lozenges sold were intended for use during the winter months only, and there is no indication at this time that anyone has become ill using these products.
Of note, the majority of the Zantac recalled products were distributed by Sanofi Consumer Health Inc. It should be noted that Sanofi is not the only company involved with the production of Zantac. There are many different manufacturing companies that make this product. There are very few safety recall situations where the people who manufacture the products are ever notified of the recall. In the case of the September 13th recall, the company that manufactured Zantac was notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's National Product Safety Commission.
