Zantac Allegedly Contaminated With Known Carcinogen
If you take Zantac or generic brands of ranitidine, you may have heard that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found a likely carcinogen in it.
Information about the Zantac recall is unfolding quickly and details can be hard to find. If you’ve used Zantac or generic brands of ranitidine, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Carr & Carr for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call Carr & Carr at 866-510-0580 or contact our team online.
Zantac & Ranitidine Test Positive for Contaminant
Ranitidine is a popular antacid and antihistamine used to treat and prevent heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease as well as other conditions that result in excessive stomach acid.
Zantac is a well-known brand of ranitidine sold over-the-counter at millions of retailers around the world.
In 2019, the FDA received reports alleging low levels of n-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was found in heartburn medications containing ranitidine.
According to the FDA, NDMA is a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer).
Common Zantac brands and generic ranitidine products you might have used include:
- Zantac 150 Tablets
- Zantac 150 Maximum Strength
- Zantac 150 Maximum Strength Cool Mint
- Zantac 75 Tablets
- Wal-Zan 150
- Wal-Zan 75
- Heartburn Relief (ranitidine)
- Acid Reducer (ranitidine)
- Acid Control (ranitidine)
NDMA is an environmental contaminant that can be found at low levels in food and water we ingest. According to reports, low levels of NDMA have not been proven dangerous.
However, NDMA may be dangerous at sustained, higher levels and may lead to an increased risk of cancer. Cancers associated with Zantac include, but are not limited to:
- Stomach cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cancer in the small and large intestine
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
FDA Issues Zantac Recall in 2020
In April 2020, the FDA requested the removal of all ranitidine products (Zantac) from the U.S. market while the agency continues to investigate the contaminant.
Early findings suggest that the impurity level in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures.
Several countries have either banned or stopped shipments of Zantac including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Since the FDA’s announcement in April, several generic drug makers have recalled their ranitidine-based products and many are offering refunds to assuage concerned consumers.
The FDA urges individuals to discard Zantac if found at home and to talk to a physician about alternative medications to treat heartburn.
Help for People Who Used Zantac
Depending on the individual case, consumers may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturers of Zantac or the manufacturers of similar ranitidine-based drugs.
An individual personal injury lawsuit or class action lawsuit may be recommended, depending on your specific case. Both options allow individuals who took Zantac or generic brands of ranitidine to pursue compensation for damages.
Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with cancer, it’s possible to seek reimbursement for money spent on Zantac or generic brands of ranitidine.
If you or someone you care about has used Zantac, contact an injury lawyer with experience handling dangerous drug cases.
Carr & Carr has been protecting the right of injured people since 1973. More importantly, our law firm has obtained multi-million dollar settlements for cases involving defective or dangerous products.
Our dedicated team of legal professionals can help you understand your options.
The initial call is always free and there are no obligations.
Get the facts of your case by calling Carr & Carr today. Call 866-510-0580 or contact with our team online.