Ranitidine

Ranitidine is a medication classified as a histamine H2-receptor antagonist. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Historically, it was widely used to treat and prevent various conditions associated with excessive stomach acid, including heartburn, acid indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and certain types of ulcers, such as peptic ulcer disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (NIH National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus). Originally available as both prescription and over-the-counter formulations, Ranitidine has undergone significant regulatory changes due to contamination concerns. In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested manufacturers to withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products from the market in the United States due to detected unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen (FDA announcement). While ranitidine itself is not inherently carcinogenic, the FDA determined that NDMA levels in some ranitidine products could increase over time and when stored at higher than ambient temperatures, leading to potential health risks. Despite its historical efficacy, it is no longer available for use in the U.S. and many other countries. Other H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are now used to manage similar conditions.