Last fall, consumers were shocked to learn that a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) analysis of heartburn drug Zantac (ranitidine) had found “unacceptable” levels of NDMA (N-nitrodosodimethylamine) — a chemical that may cause cancer. In April 2020, the FDA requested a full recall of all ranitidine products.
Here is everything you need to know about Zantac’s frightening link to cancer.
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In September 2019, the FDA found low levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), in Zantac. It issued a voluntary recall at that time and recommended that consumers consider other treatments.
The FDA then conducted and analyzed more thorough tests over a six-month period, which determined that the cancer risks were too high, stating, “The agency has determined that the impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels of this impurity.”
On April 1, 2020, the FDA issued a mandatory recall of all ranitidine products, most notably Zantac.
Though Sanofi’s Zantac is the most popular ranitidine drug on the market, at least 16 different companies sold the heartburn medication before its recall. Here are some of the other ranitidine products that have been removed from pharmacy shelves:
Yes. The FDA has advised consumers to stop taking Zantac, dispose of the drugs, and not to buy them again. Those who need to keep treating their heartburn or acid reflux “should consider using other approved OTC [over-the-counter] products.”
If you are currently taking Zantac, you should stop and speak with your doctor about alternative treatments.
Maybe. More than 230 such lawsuits have been filed by consumers who say they were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac. These lawsuits are seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
You should speak with a personal injury attorney to determine if you’re eligible for a Zantac lawsuit. In most cases, it costs nothing upfront to hire them, and they only get paid if you win.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, this could be the first step toward putting your life back together and securing your family’s future.
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