Key Takeaways
- Zantac and its generic form, ranitidine, have been found to contain potentially dangerous levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen.
- NDMA exposure has been linked to several cancers, including stomach, kidney, colorectal, liver, bladder, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
- Studies indicate Zantac may contain up to 400 times the FDA’s safe limit of NDMA.
- The FDA confirmed the contamination, prompting voluntary recalls by major drugstores and the manufacturer, Sanofi.
- Individuals who developed cancer after taking Zantac may be eligible to pursue legal action against responsible parties.
A recent study identified potentially hazardous levels of NDMA, a cancer-causing chemical, in the popular heartburn medication, Zantac. Just last year, the dangerous contaminant NDMA was found in several blood pressure medications, and has since been linked to ranitidine, the generic form of Zantac. Regular or significant exposure to NDMA can result in the development of several deadly cancers, including stomach, kidney, and colorectal cancer.
Upon receipt of this information, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public statement confirming the discovery of NDMA in Zantac and ranitidine products. Shortly thereafter, several drugstores, including CVS, issued voluntary recalls for the medication and stopped stocking them.
So, are the levels of NDMA in Zantac and other similar drugs truly enough to cause the development of cancer? And, if they are, who could be at risk?
The Danger of NDMA
NDMA, or n-nitrosodimethylamine, is classified by the FDA as a probable carcinogen, which means it “could cause cancer.” It is an environmental contaminant most often found in our water and food, and, according to the FDA, is harmless in small doses. However, studies tell us that the amount of NDMA in Zantac and its generic counterparts is well above the “healthy” boundary. In fact, Valisure, the Connecticut lab that conducted the initial research on Zantac’s carcinogenic properties found that it contained up to 400 times the amount of NDMA deemed safe for consumption by the FDA’s standards.
Potential side effects of NDMA consumption include:
- Bladder cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Prostate cancer
If you or someone you love developed cancer 6 months or more after taking Zantac, you may be entitled to take legal action against the liable party. Since the information about the NDMA contamination has been released to the public, the owner of Zantac, Sanofi, conducted a voluntary recall of all Zantac products in the US and Canada. But, the recall hardly changes the fate of those already impacted by this drug’s deadly carcinogenic properties. Those impacted by the dangerous drug Zantac may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and more.
To learn more about your potential rights, contact Wagner Reese to schedule a free consultation with our Indiana-based attorneys.
