Ive been taking ranitidine for 4 years and Ive just heard they cause CANCER!!! AIBU to be petrified??

[KillingSteeeeve]

Ive been taking ranitidine for a long term health condition (not acid reflux). i remember back in 2019, there was a bit of a scare story about the medication in the press. At the time, I discussed this with my pharmacist who assured me that there was nothing to indicate any issues with the particular medication/brand i was taking. I carried on taking it and thought no more about it.

I was last prescribed the medication in March. The surgery agreed to prescribe me 6 months work to reduce the number of times id have to collect prescriptions during the pandemic. There are some short spells here and there where my condition improves and I dont need to take ranitidine and so I still have some left of my 6 month supply. Anyway, I happened to come across an article about how all ranitidine medications have been pulled and even the NHS website states that ranitidine is no longer available.

I am 32 years old with 2 young kids. I am now petrified that I will be at an increased risk of developing cancer. I am on my own with my kids and am just starting to feel panicky about the whole thing :(

I've submitted an econsult to my GP in the hopes that they can give me more information but its anyone's guess when I will hear back from that. I am also really upset that no one has contacted me and advised me to stop taking the medication.

www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/ddw/86314

www.gov.uk/government/news/ranitidine-mhra-drug-alert-issued-for-teva-uk-recall

I don't think you need to worry tbh

YANBU but the increased risk of cancer is very, very small.

www.health.harvard.edu/blog/popular-heartburn-drug-ranitidine-recalled-what-you-need-to-know-and-do-2019092817911

What is NDMA and what harm can it cause?

NDMA is an environmental contaminant that is found in water and foods, including dairy products, vegetables, and grilled meats. Its classification as a probable carcinogen is based on studies in animals; studies in humans are very limited.

It is important to know that the NDMA in ranitidine products does not pose any immediate health risks. Neither the FDA nor Novartis/Sandoz or Apotex have received any reports of adverse events related to NDMA found in ranitidine. Although classified as a probable carcinogen, NDMA may cause cancer only after exposure to high doses over a long period of time. NDMA is one of the same impurities that was found in certain heart medications beginning last year and that resulted in the recall of many products.

There have been some cases of ranitidine being accidentally contaminated with potentially harmful trace substances, so it has been withdrawn as a precaution, but it is highly unlikely you will have been affected.

I think you need to get this in proportion. Do you drink alcohol? Eat processed meat? Live somewhere with air pollution? Have you ever been sunburnt? Have you ever been overweight. All those things are far more likely to give you cancer.

I get that you're concerned (my DH takes ranitidine long term so I am as well) but I think the studies have shown it's a 'probable carcinogen' like many, many other things in our lives and that it has been linked to long-term high dosages. Also, for my DH at least, if he does not take his medication, his throat feels like it closes and he can't swallow food or drink so it's not really like there's much of a choice about taking it! But definitely speak to your doctor or pharmacist and see what they say. Hopefully they can either reassure you or come up with an alternative treatment plan.

I think it was particular brands and particular dosage levels, so I wouldn't worry too much.

HOWEVER, it does now seem to have gone altogether - I was also on a repeat prescription and haven't been able to get it since May. They have swapped me to something else (although I didn't get on with that, so am trialling going without) so hopefully they'll be able to do the same for you.

It's a very small risk, I'm sorry this is the first you heard of it. (Tbh I'm a teeny bit jealous of your stash because the recall has caused a huge shortage of the alternative H2 medicines and me and others who were taking it for histamine intolerance are struggling without it) . But best not to take it now obviously.

Drinking wine increases your risk of cancer.
That's any type of alcohol. It isn't even a 'probable' carcinogen studies actually show it does affect one's risk in getting cancer.

But nobody bothers to listen to that advice because it doesn't suit them.

Ranitidine itself does not cause cancer.

The issue is about a a chemical called N-Nitrosodimethylamine which has been found present at very low levels in ranitidine and other medicines. New technology is revealing nitrosamine impurities may have been present at low levels for some time, but in order to be as safe as possible, all affected drugs have been taken off the market for the time being.

We're talking a tiny amount of the chemical, and it can be found in foodstuffs like cheeses too. It's very very unlikely that your medication will have put you more at risk of developing cancer.

Thanks for all the reassurance. I think its just a little upsetting because I don't smoke, I drink a handful of times a year and I try to take care of my health. Im more frustrated at the thought of my GP surgery not calling me and advising me to stop taking the medication.

I used to suffer from health anxiety so im trying to make sure this doesnt spark off another episode of it. The first link was very reassuring so ill try to keep that at the forefront of my mind.

@KillingSteeeeve

Thanks for all the reassurance. I think its just a little upsetting because I don't smoke, I drink a handful of times a year and I try to take care of my health. Im more frustrated at the thought of my GP surgery not calling me and advising me to stop taking the medication.

I used to suffer from health anxiety so im trying to make sure this doesnt spark off another episode of it. The first link was very reassuring so ill try to keep that at the forefront of my mind.

GPs were not asked to advise patients to stop taking it.

Well please don't look at the side effects of any other medications then. I think think this is perhaps your health anxiety talking. I wouldn't waste a precious GP appointment on this, OP.