Colorado Product Liability Attorney
What is Zantac?
Zantac is a popular brand-name version of ranitidine, a heartburn medication. Drugs such as ranitidine are known as H2 blockers; they are designed to reduce the amount of acid produced by cells in the lining of the stomach.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating contamination issues in Zantac and similar products containing ranitidine, after testing indicated the presence of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in this class of medications. NDMA is a probable human carcinogen — a substance that can cause cancer. It is a highly toxic compound that has been used in the manufacture of rocket fuel and in laboratory experiments to study cancer in mice.
Contamination and Cancer Concerns
Low levels of NDMA can be found in many foods such as cured meats, water supplies, and even the air we breathe. The primary concern about Zantac and other medications containing ranitidine is that the extent of contamination may expose users to higher levels of NDMA, well above the acceptable daily limit. A petition filed with the FDA last year by an independent testing lab reported that the ranitidine molecule was unstable and could produce excessive levels of NDMA “at high efficiency.” Other studies have confirmed that NDMA levels increase in ranitidine over time even in normal storage conditions, and that NDMA increases significantly in samples stored at higher temperatures.
On September 13, 2019, the FDA issued a public warning concerning the risks of taking Zantac or other ranitidine products and urged consumers to consider alternative over-the-counter or prescription heartburn medications. On April 1, 2020, the FDA announced an immediate recall of all ranitidine drugs. “We decided that it should not be available to consumers and patients unless its quality can be assured,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
What are the Health Risks?
Exposure to high levels of NDMA has been to linked to numerous types of cancer, including cancer of the stomach, liver, colon, small intestine, and esophagus.
The Zantac Cancer Lawsuits
If you been diagnosed with cancer or other serious health conditions as a result of taking Zantac or another ranitidine medication, you may be entitled to compensation. Several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Zantac and are in the process of being consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). By filing a lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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