A popular heartburn drug has been recalled over fears it could cause cancer

Common heartburn drug, Zantac, has been urgently recalled over fears it could contain chemicals which cause cancer.

The fresh alert comes following the recall of or four types of prescription-only Zantac medications, which were withdrawn in the UK last week.

Possible contamination

Two additional medications have been added to the recall list after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned that there had been a possible contamination of the active substance in Zantac, ranitidine.

Ranitidine Effervescent Tablets 150 milligrams and 300 milligrams are now among the list of recalled medications.

The MHRA had identified an impurity called NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine) in the medicines, which is a risk factor in the development of certain cancers.

Exposure to NDMA can come from tobacco smoke, chewing tobacco, some cured meats, toiletries and other cosmetic products, and it can cause damage to the liver.