What is Zantac (ranitidine), both in terms of its chemical composition and its function as a medication? What conditions was it commonly prescribed or recommended for, including specific dosages or formulations used for those conditions? Why was it ultimately recalled from the market, what were the concerning contaminants or issues discovered, and what health risks were associated with those contaminants that led to the recall?
Answer
Zantac was a brand name for the drug ranitidine, which is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist, commonly referred to as an H2 blocker.
Ranitidine, and therefore Zantac, was primarily used to reduce stomach acid production. Consequently, it was prescribed and used for the following conditions:
- Heartburn and acid reflux: It was a popular over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving heartburn and acid indigestion symptoms.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Zantac helped manage GERD, a chronic condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation.
- Peptic ulcers: It was used to treat and prevent stomach and duodenal ulcers by reducing acid secretion, which allows the ulcers to heal.
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: This rare condition causes the stomach to produce too much acid. Ranitidine was used to help manage the excessive acid production.
- Other conditions: It was sometimes used for other conditions where reducing stomach acid was beneficial, such as preventing stress ulcers in hospitalized patients.