The Ministry of Health has received alerts advising that ranitidine-containing products may be contaminated with an impurity called Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
In a statement, the Ministry says long-term exposure (over years) can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
It says the risks from short-term use of ranitidine are expected to be extremely low.
Ranitidine is used for the treatment of heartburn, gastric reflux or ulcers. In Fiji, ranitidine is available to patients in the form of 150mg or 300mg tablets. It is usually a prescribed medicine but is also available over the counter.
The Ministry is not calling for individuals to stop taking this medication and if people have concerns regarding their ranitidine tablets, they can discuss with their healthcare provider, so they can assess and prescribe an alternative treatment option available in Fiji.
The Ministry of Health says Doctors and pharmacists should support patients who are worried about taking ranitidine or have been taking it longer-term to switch to alternative treatment options.
