heartburn drug Zantac Pills

Zantac (ranitidine) has been voluntarily recalled for allegedly containing a known cancer causing substance. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, among other damages. We are working with some of the most experienced Zantac lawyers across the country. There is no charge no fee unless you get an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll-free number 24/7 at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form.

FDA finds cancer-causing chemical in heartburn medicine Zantac

CBS This Morning | Published on Sept. 14, 2019

Small amounts of a cancer-causing chemical have been found in the popular heartburn medication Zantac, as well is in generic forms of the drug, known as Ranitidine.

Have You Sustained Injuries After Taking Zantac?
You May Have a Claim.

What Is Zantac?

pain from using Zantac

It is a popular heartburn drug, both over-the-counter and prescription based, designed to relieve and prevent heartburn. It accomplishes this by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes. Zantac has been widely used by the public for over two decades. In recent times, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a cancer causing substance within Zantac’s active ingredient. This substance is known as NDMA.

Why NDMA Is Considered Dangerous?

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified as a probable human carcinogen, which is a substance that could cause cancer. NDMA is known to be highly hazardous and is under strict reporting requirements by places that handle the substance in large amounts. It can be especially harmful to a person’s liver, bladder, and stomach. In large quantities, the substance has been proven to cause fatalities. Many experts consider NDMA to be genotoxic, which means it has a dangerous effect on the genetic material in cells.

What To Know About Zantac Lawsuits?

Zantac Lawsuits

In the past, scientific research shows a very clear link between the active ingredient in Zantac, known as ranitidine, and NDMA. The research shows when ranitidine and water mix, it produces NDMA. It is alleged that this research was well known to the makers of Zantac. Despite this evidence, it is also alleged that the drug makers of Zantac chose not to disclose anything regarding this research to consumers or the government. Now, with the FDA’s report on September 13, 2019 showing NDMA in the drug, Zantac lawyers have now begun filing Zantac lawsuits in multiple states.

Zantac History Timeline

  • 1983 – Zantac receives FDA approval for the purpose of treating specific types of ulcers.
  • 1997 – The patent for Zantac runs out and more competitors join the market with similar products.
  • 2004-2017 – FDA approves Zantac as an over-the-counter heartburn medication.
  • July 2018 – A recall occurs for the drug Valsartan, similar to the compounds in Zantac, after findings of traces of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a human carcinogen.
  • September 28, 2019 – CVS Health Corp, Walmart Inc., and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. cease the sale of Zantac in their stores.
  • October 2, 2019 – FDA announces official findings of “unacceptable” levels of NDMA in Zantac and other drugs containing similar compounds.
  • October 18, 2019 – Zantac experiences a total recall in the United States.

What Are The Side Effects of Zantac?

Along with digestive system cancer, Zantac can be harmful both in short-term and long-term exposures. Short-term side effects could include liver damage, while long-term exposure could result in liver, lung, and kidney tumors.

Other side effects linked to Zantac could include:

  • Hepatitis
  • Jaundice
  • Increased risk of pneumonia
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low platelet levels in the blood
  • Nervous system disorders
  • Skin rashes
  • Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Contact an Experienced Zantac Lawyer Today!

An injury lawyer explaining the case to his clients.

If you or a loved one have taken Zantac and now have stomach or bladder cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, among other losses. We work with some of the most experienced Zantac lawyers in the country, who are ready to talk to you about a potential case. Call us today toll-free 24/7 at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Sources:

  1. fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/statement-alerting-patients-and-health-care-professionals-ndma-found-samples-ranitidine
  2. reuters.com/article/us-health-fda-heartburn-timeline/timeline-popular-heartburn-medicine-zantac-pulled-off-store-shelves-idUSKBN1X014E