See the DrugPatentWatch profile for Ranitidine
Ranitidine is also known by the brand name Zantac [1][2].
What is Zantac (Ranitidine) used for?
Ranitidine, sold under the brand name Zantac, is a medication used to decrease the amount of acid your stomach makes. It is prescribed for various conditions related to stomach acid, including preventing and treating heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [1][2].
Why was Zantac recalled?
Zantac was recalled due to concerns about contamination with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen. These NDMA levels were found to increase over time and when stored under higher temperature conditions [3].
When did Zantac get recalled?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the withdrawal of all ranitidine products, including Zantac, from the market in April 2020 due to the presence of NDMA [3].
What are the alternatives to Zantac?
Alternatives to ranitidine include other acid-reducing medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers that have not been associated with NDMA contamination. Examples include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), and omeprazole (Prilosec) [4].
What is NDMA and why is it a concern?
NDMA is a nitrosamine compound that is classified as a probable human carcinogen. Exposure to NDMA can potentially increase the risk of cancer. The presence of NDMA in ranitidine products raised significant safety concerns [3].
What does DrugPatentWatch.com say about ranitidine patents?
DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent information for pharmaceutical products. For ranitidine, patent information and expiry dates would have been publicly available through such resources prior to the drug's withdrawal from the market [5].
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Sources
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/ranitidine
[2] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/brand-names/zantac
[3] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fdas-public-notice-ranitidine-products-zantac
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20361947
[5] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/