What is Zantac 150 mg used for? Understanding its historical role and the 2020 recall

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested an immediate market withdrawal of all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products, commonly known by the brand name Zantac. While the question of what is Zantac 150 mg used for is historical, understanding its previous uses is crucial for those seeking alternatives for acid-related conditions.

Quick Summary

This article details the former medical uses of Zantac 150 mg (ranitidine) for heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers. It explains the 2020 FDA recall due to NDMA contamination and highlights safer, currently available alternatives like Zantac 360 (famotidine) and other acid reducers.

Key Points

Historic Uses: Zantac 150 mg, with its active ingredient ranitidine, was used to treat and prevent conditions like heartburn, GERD, and ulcers by reducing stomach acid.
Reason for Recall: The original ranitidine-based Zantac was recalled in 2020 by the FDA due to unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable human carcinogen, forming in the product over time.
New vs. Old Zantac: The current product, Zantac 360, is a reformulation that contains famotidine, not ranitidine, and is considered safe by the FDA.
Safe Alternatives: Safer alternatives to the original Zantac include other H2 blockers like famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet), as well as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole (Prilosec).
Expert Consultation: Before starting any new acid-reducing medication, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider to ensure it is the right and safest option for your condition.

Before its recall, Zantac 150 mg (ranitidine) was a widely used medication to treat and prevent conditions caused by excessive stomach acid production. As an H2 blocker, it worked by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces, providing relief from symptoms such as heartburn, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. However, due to contamination concerns, the original formula is no longer available on the market.

Historical Uses of Zantac 150 mg (Ranitidine)

Zantac 150 mg was indicated for a variety of gastrointestinal issues, both as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication and in prescription-strength doses for more serious conditions. It was part of a class of drugs known as histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonists. The common uses included:

Heartburn and Acid Indigestion: For many years, Zantac 150 mg was a popular OTC choice for treating and preventing heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. For prevention, it was often taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating or drinking foods that typically caused issues.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Medically diagnosed GERD, a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, was a primary target for Zantac treatment. It helped alleviate symptoms and heal damage to the esophageal lining.
Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers: Zantac 150 mg was also prescribed for the short-term treatment and maintenance therapy of active stomach (gastric) and intestinal (duodenal) ulcers. It worked to promote healing by decreasing stomach acid.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: In cases of pathological hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome where the stomach produces excessive amounts of acid, higher or more frequent doses of ranitidine might have been required.
Erosive Esophagitis: This condition, which is a severe form of GERD causing inflammation and erosion of the esophagus, was also treated with prescription-strength ranitidine.

Mechanism of Action: How Ranitidine Worked

As an H2 blocker, ranitidine operated by blocking the action of histamine at the H2 receptors located in the parietal cells of the stomach. By competitively and reversibly inhibiting these receptors, it significantly reduced the volume and concentration of gastric acid secreted. This mechanism allowed ranitidine to effectively decrease the acidity of the stomach, providing relief for acid-related symptoms and promoting healing of affected tissues.

The 2020 Zantac Recall: NDMA Contamination

In late 2019, laboratory tests revealed that ranitidine products could become contaminated with unsafe levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is a probable human carcinogen, and tests showed that its levels in ranitidine could increase over time and when stored at higher-than-room temperatures.

This discovery led to a series of voluntary recalls by manufacturers. The FDA, upon further investigation, determined that NDMA levels in some products increased to unacceptable levels, prompting the agency to request a full market withdrawal of all ranitidine products on April 1, 2020. As a result, original Zantac and its generic ranitidine are no longer available for new or existing prescriptions or over-the-counter use in the U.S.

Important Distinction: Original Zantac vs. Zantac 360

The market withdrawal of ranitidine created a gap for millions of users who relied on Zantac for their acid-related issues. In response, a new product called Zantac 360 became available, but it is fundamentally different from the original formula.

Active Ingredient: Original Zantac used ranitidine. The new Zantac 360 uses famotidine, the same active ingredient found in Pepcid.
Safety Profile: The FDA has tested other H2 blockers, including famotidine and cimetidine, and has not found the same NDMA contamination issues that plagued ranitidine. Famotidine is considered a safe and effective alternative.

Safer Alternatives to Zantac

For those who previously used ranitidine, several safe alternatives are now available. These can be discussed with a healthcare professional to determine the best option.

Other H2 Blockers

These medications work similarly to ranitidine by blocking histamine receptors to reduce stomach acid production.

Famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac 360): Famotidine is widely available over-the-counter and by prescription and is considered a safe alternative for managing heartburn and other acid-related conditions.
Cimetidine (Tagamet HB): Another H2 blocker, cimetidine, is also available OTC.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

PPIs offer a different mechanism of action, blocking the enzyme system that produces stomach acid. They are particularly effective for long-term management of frequent heartburn and GERD. Common examples include:

Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Comparison of Acid-Reducing Medications

To help understand the differences between the historical Zantac (ranitidine) and its modern alternatives, the following table provides a comparison based on their mechanism and speed of action.


Feature	Original Zantac (Ranitidine)	Zantac 360 (Famotidine)	Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Mechanism	H2 Blocker: Reduces stomach acid by blocking histamine receptors	H2 Blocker: Reduces stomach acid by blocking histamine receptors	PPI: Blocks acid production at the source (proton pump)
Onset of Action	30 minutes to an hour	30 minutes to an hour	Takes 1 to 4 days to reach full effect
Duration of Effect	Controls acid production for up to 12 hours	Controls acid production for up to 12 hours (famotidine is slightly longer than ranitidine)	Can control acid for up to 24 hours
Best For	Historically: Fast relief of occasional heartburn, treatment of ulcers	Fast relief of occasional heartburn, prevention of heartburn	Treating frequent heartburn (2+ times/week), GERD, and ulcers
Current Availability	Not available in the U.S. due to recalls	Yes, OTC with famotidine	Yes, OTC and prescription options widely available

Conclusion

While the answer to what is Zantac 150 mg used for is rooted in its past effectiveness for treating heartburn, GERD, and ulcers, its recall serves as an important reminder of ongoing pharmaceutical safety standards. The discovery of NDMA contamination led to the permanent withdrawal of original ranitidine products from the market. Fortunately, safe and effective alternatives like famotidine, now used in Zantac 360, and PPIs are readily available to manage acid-related conditions. Individuals should always consult a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for their specific needs, especially when considering a new medication.

Visit the official FDA website for the latest information on drug recalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the original Zantac 150 mg, which contained ranitidine, was withdrawn from the market globally in 2020 and is no longer available for purchase in the U.S. due to safety concerns.

The key difference is the active ingredient. Original Zantac used ranitidine, which was recalled due to NDMA contamination. The new Zantac 360 contains famotidine, the same active ingredient as Pepcid, and is considered a safe alternative.

Safe alternatives include other H2 blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid) and cimetidine (Tagamet), as well as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

Ranitidine was recalled because it was found to contain unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, which increased with time and higher temperatures.

NDMA is N-Nitrosodimethylamine, a probable human carcinogen. While found at low levels in some foods and drinking water, high levels found in ranitidine over long periods were deemed unsafe and linked to an increased risk of cancer.

According to the FDA, low-level exposure to NDMA is not expected to cause harm. The primary concern was long-term, high-level exposure. However, if you have health concerns, it is best to consult with your doctor.

The FDA advised consumers to stop taking ranitidine and dispose of it safely at home, following recommended steps for medication disposal rather than using a drug take-back location due to the pandemic at the time.