U.S. and European health officials are investigating big-selling heartburn treatment Zantac and generics of the drug after a carcinogen was discovered in low levels, Bloomberg first reported Friday.
- The drug ranitidine, branded as Zantac, was found to contain levels of a probable carcinogen in testing by an online pharmacy. The same contaminant prompted a recall of blood-pressure pills last year.
- "The FDA is evaluating whether the low levels of (the contaminant) NDMA in ranitidine pose a risk to patients," the regulator said. It added that it is not recommending patients stop taking the medication at this time.
