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Zantac is a popular medication used to treat millions of people each year for a multitude of gastrointestinal conditions. The generic name of the drug is ranitidine and is used in antihistamine and antacid products.
In 2019, many recalls were initiated due to the medication containing a human carcinogen. Read more to find out about filing a Zantac or ranitidine lawsuit, and how to keep yourself safe.
NMDA found in Zantac, ranitidine
Zantac is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug known as an H2 (histamine-2) blocker. This helps to decrease problematic and uncomfortable stomach acid in the body. It can be used to treat many conditions such as ulcers in the stomach or intestines; gastroesophageal reflux disease; duodenal ulcer; reflux esophagitis; post-operative peptic ulcers; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome; benign gastric ulcer, and many others.
The concern over Zantac aren’t because of any specific side effects– it’s because of a human carcinogen. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NMDA) was recently detected in Zantac and ranitidine medications.
A routine testing conducted by New Haven, Connecticut online pharmacy, Valisure, initially discovered the presence of NMDA. Valisant immediately alerted the Food and Drug Administration and has adamantly been calling for a recall.
FDA cautious about NDMA in drugs
The FDA has been concerned about NDMA being detected in other medications as well. A press announcement from the agency recently said, “The FDA has been investigating NDMA and other nitrosamine impurities in blood pressure and heart failure medicines called Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) since last year.”
“In the case of ARBs, the FDA has recommended numerous recalls as it discovered unacceptable levels of nitrosamines.”
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the environmental contaminant NMDA “has been classified as probably carcinogenic to humans.” It is typically found as a byproduct of cooked or cured meats, such as bacon, or in water, dairy products, or vegetables.
Certain blood pressure medications last year and made quite the controversy as they contained 17 micrograms of NDMA. Many people are concerned about their exposure because Valisure detected NDMA levels as high as 3,000 micrograms in batches of Zantac and other generic medications.
(Sept. 23, 2019) Sandoz Inc. recalled its ranitidine hydrochloride capsules in 150mg and 300mg. The medications were sold in 30, 60, and 500 count bottles.
This story will be updated.
Filing a Zantac lawsuit
If you or someone in your family were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, you should speak to a Zantac lawyer as soon as possible. You may be awarded financial compensation by filing a lawsuit. Be sure to evaluate a law firm on their experience with handling class action lawsuits, or involvement in multidistrict litigation (MDL).