No association between use of ranitidine and risk of cancer : Nature Journal

A recent study published in scientific reports in the journal Nature finds that there is no link between the use of ranitidine and cancer. Ranitidine is used to treat and prevent gastric ulcers. The recent study evaluated the records of 12,680 ranitidine users and 12,680 other H2RA (ranitidine like medicines) users retrospectively. 

The study was conducted in South Korea on the alleged link between the use of ranitidine and cancer, which has concluded the lengthening debate on the alleged link between the use of ranitidine and the risk of cancer. Publication of the study in ‘Nature’ further authenticates the findings of the study. Nature is a weekly international journal publishing the finest peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology based on its originality. 

Observational studies

As per data available on the website, only 7% to 8% of submitted articles qualify for final publishing after a stringent editorial review.  N-nitroso dimethylamine (NDMA) is a probable human carcinogen, based on laboratory studies, its effects on humans rely on observational studies. 

Following the detection of unacceptable levels of NDMA impurities in many ranitidine products in 2019, measures were taken to withdraw ranitidine from the market.  Lead researchers, Ju-Young Shin, Sungkyunkwan University Seoul, Republic of Korea and his colleagues stated, “We found no association between ranitidine with potential NDMA impurities and risk of major individual malignancies and overall cancer".