We Recommend That You Do Not Throw Away Any Leftover Ranitidine Pills. If Possible, Store Them In A Safe Place For Potential Testing And Proof Of Purchase.

Update: This case is no longer being pursued.  Following the court hearing in Vancouver, the certification of this class action was dismissed.  You can view the decision here.

Update: April 1, 2020, FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market, to read more on this please click here.

Update: On October 30, 2019, Health Canada announced that Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is recalling all lots of its prescription ranitidine products from the Canadian market.

Update: On October 25, 2019, Health Canada announced that Dominion Pharmacal, Laboratoire Riva Inc., Pharmascience Inc. and Vita Health Inc. are recalling all lots of their prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products from the Canadian market.

Update: On October 18, 2019, Health Canada advised that additional prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine drugs, including Zantac, are being recalled by Sanofi Consumer Health Inc., Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC and Teva Canada Limited because they may contain NDMA above acceptable levels.

Health Canada detects NDMA in Ranitidine products.

An impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), has been detected in Ranitidine products for sale in Canada. NDMA is a potential human carcinogen, which means that it could cause cancer with long-term exposure.

The active pharmaceutical ingredient Ranitidine is indicated for the treatment of stomach problems, ulcers, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  Ranitidine products are available in Canada as over-the-counter medication or by prescription.

On September 13, 2019, Health Canada issued a product information update advising that they are investigating the presence of NDMA in some Ranitidine drugs.

A further Health Canada report on September 17, 2019, advised that all lots of Ranitidine 150mg and 300mg tablets were being recalled by Sandoz Canada Inc., one of the leading manufacturers of the drug.

On September 25, 2019, Health Canada advised that four other companies: Apotex Inc., Pro Doc Limitee, Sanis Health Inc. and Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC were also recalling their Ranitidine drugs due to the presence of NDMA.

Ranitidine class action lawsuit

The law firms of Charney Lawyers PC and Rice Harbut Elliot LLP have commenced a national class action on behalf of all persons in Canada who purchased or ingested one or more of the Ranitidine products for sale in Canada from January 1, 2010 to present.

The press release, dated October 11, 2019, stating that a proposed class action has been commenced with respect to the recall can be viewed here.

Recalls and safety alerts from Health Canada

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. recalls prescription ranitidine products as a precaution; request to stop distribution remains in place while Health Canada continues to assess NDMA, Health Canada, updated October 30, 2019.

Sun Pharma Canada Inc. Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-10-29), Health Canada, updated October 30, 2019.

Vita Health Products Inc Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-10-24), Health Canada, updated October 28, 2019.

Laboratoire Riva Inc. Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-10-24), Health Canada, updated October 25, 2019.

Pharmascience Inc. Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-10-23), Health Canada, updated October 25, 2019.

Maximum Strength Acid Reducer Without Prescription (2019-10-23), Health Canada, updated October 25, 2019.

Sanofi Consumer Health Zantac Product Recall (2019-10-18), Health Canada, updated October 23, 2019.

Teva Canada Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-10-17), updated October 28, 2019.

Appotex Inc Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-09-24), Health Canada, updated September 26, 2019.

Sanis Health Inc. Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-09-24), Health Canada, updated September 26, 2019.

Pro Doc Limitee Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-09-24), Health Canada, updated September 25, 2019.

Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-09-24), Health Canada, updated September 25, 2019.

Sandoz Canada Ranitidine Product Recall (2019-09-17), Health Canada, updated September 18, 2019.

Health Canada assessing NDMA in Ranitidine, Health Canada, updated September 13, 2019.

Health Canada’s list of Ranitidine products being recalled in Canada at this time: