Hy-Vee suspends sale of Zantac, TopCare heartburn remedies

Following similar moves by drug store chains CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens, Hy-Vee Inc. has temporarily suspended the sale of all over-the-counter Zantac and TopCare ranitidine products for heartburn relief.

According to the West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer, “This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution due to a recent industry-wide product alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that ranitidine products may contain a low level of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen."

Hy-Vee noted that the FDA is evaluating whether low levels of NDMA in ranitidine are harmful to people. The FDA has issued an official recall on TopCare 75-milligram ranitidine products, but no other Zantac and TopCare ranitidine products have been recalled. Customers who bought these products at Hy-Vee can return them for a full refund.

Hy-Vee stores and pharmacies are still selling other over-the-counter heartburn relief medications such as Pepcid, Tagamet, and their respective generic equivalents, famotidine and cimetidine.

TopCare is a brand of Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Topco Associates LLC, a procurement and service cooperative for grocery retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice distributors in the United States. Zantac is manufactured by Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Chattem Inc.

Hy-Vee referred customers with questions to their health care provider or Hy-Vee pharmacist.