Yes, Zantac has been taken off the market in all of the United States, as well as in other countries around the world. This is because recent research determined that the drug contains higher than acceptable levels of the known carcinogen NDMA, which can cause a variety of cancers and non-cancerous organ damage.
Why Zantac Has Been Taken Off the Market
In September of 2019, a consumer drug testing lab in Connecticut called Valisure ran tests on ranitidine, the generic form of Zantac. They were checking for any range of known carcinogens, and they made a startling discovery.
The researchers at Valisure found that the Zantac tablet they tested had very high levels of NDMA, which has been shown to cause lung and liver cancer in animals, as well as non-cancerous organ damage. There is good reason to believe NDMA has a similar carcinogenic effect on humans.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that the daily allowable amount of NDMA is 96 ng. At that level, it should be harmless, and often you can be exposed to these sorts of low levels through the food you eat, water you drink, and air you breathe. However, Valisure found levels far exceeding this safe threshold; according to their petition to the FDA, they found 3,000,000 ng in a single tablet of ranitidine.
At such high levels, there was a strong basis to recall all ranitidine products, including prescription and over the counter (OTC) Zantac. The FDA issued this recall on April 1, 2020, and ever since Zantac has been pulled from the market.
The Health Impact of NDMA Exposure
NDMA may be linked to a variety of cancers, as well as non-cancerous organ damage. If you have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions after taking Zantac or other ranitidine products, you may be entitled to compensation from the pharmaceutical companies who negligently put this drug on the market.
- Liver cancer
- Liver damage
- Bladder cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney damage
- And potentially many other cancers
At the high levels found by Valisure, NDMA can be very harmful. Be sure to consult your doctor about any symptoms or health changes you have experienced if you have a history of taking ranitidine to manage stomach acid.
Your Options now that Zantac Has Been Taken Off the Market
Many heartburn sufferers have been using Zantac and other ranitidine products for years if not decades. In addition to your concerns over potential NDMA exposure, you may also be wondering how to best manage your stomach acid conditions given the fact that Zantac has been taken off the market.
Speak with your healthcare provider about alternative medications that limit stomach acid production. Zantac belongs to a class of drug called H2 blocker, and there are still other, safer H2 blockers on the market. Additionally, another class of drug called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is also effective in treating heartburn and acid reflux. Although these drugs have not been shown to contain NDMA, they do come with their own risks and benefits. Your doctor can give you a better idea of what drug is appropriate for you.
Your doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes that can reduce acid reflux. Try not to exercise or lie down right after eating, as this can cause stomach acid to travel into the esophagus. Also, changing your diet may help. Consider reducing your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or fatty foods.
Legal Options if You Developed a Disease After Taking Zantac
If you or someone you love has received a cancer diagnosis or passed away from cancer after taking Zantac, you may have a case for compensation. Since the drug companies who put ranitidine on the market were negligently risking your health, you may be entitled to damages for the losses they have caused you. A Zantac injury lawyer can help you build a case to join a class action that is already underway in Florida.
Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you love has developed cancer or another health condition after taking Zantac (ranitidine), then you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Reach out to Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at (855) 529-0269. Let us explain your options now that Zantac has been taken off the market. Call now.
