A US retailer has said it will suspend sales of popular heartburn treatment Zantac at its pharmacies over a fears it could be linked to an increased risk of cancer.

CVS Health Corp said it will also discontinue its own-brand ranitidine products, which help reduce stomach acid, until further notice.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found traces of a known carcinogen in some medicines containing the drug ranitidine, including Zantac products, in findings published earlier this month.

Walgreens and Walmart have also stopped selling Zantac.

“This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution due to a recent Product Alert from the FDA,” a CVS Health statement said, “that ranitidine products may contain a low level of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a probable human carcinogen.”

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The FDA is continuing investigations into whether low levels of NDMA in the medicines could be dangerous for patients.

“The levels that FDA is finding in ranitidine from preliminary tests barely exceed amounts found in common foods,” CVS Health Corp said.

Despite being taken of pharmacy shelves until further notice, Zantac and CVS brand ranitidine products have not been recalled by the retailer.

The FDA said it does not currently advise patients to stop taking ranitidine medicines.

If patients wish to change their ranitidine medication, however, the FDA said other drugs used for similar treatments could be available to them and suggested speaking to a healthcare professional.

Ranitidine is used to treat indigestion and heartburn by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.

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The drug can also be taken for stomach ulcers.

All types of ranitidine are available on prescription in the UK, with the lowest strength tablets available for purchase, according to the NHS website.

A spokesperson for the UK Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: “We are not aware of any specific information that would indicate that there is any risk to patients and we are not currently initiating any product recalls.

"We are monitoring the issue, continue to liaise with our European counterparts, and will take appropriate action if necessary.”