Earlier last month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requested manufacturers to recall their Zantac medications from the market immediately after tests showed the presence of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a cancer-causing chemical, in the drug.
Zantac, or ranitidine, belongs to a group of drugs known as histamine-2 blockers, which work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. The drug is used mainly to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, as well as heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can also treat conditions in which the stomach makes too much acid.
Zantac has been on the market since the early 1980s and has been available both by prescription and over the counter. The news about NDMA traces in the drug isn’t new, as studies have shown links between NDMA in Zantac and cancer as far back as the 1980s. Many individuals are filing lawsuits against Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the main companies that make Zantac, alleging that they masked the cancer link from millions of users, and continued to market the drug to consumers as safe when it wasn’t.
The FDA announced in September that tests revealed that Zantac contains NDMA at levels up to 3,000 times greater than the FDA’s daily intake limit.
Common Cancers Associated with Zantac
Tests have also shown that long-term exposure to Zantac contaminated with NDMA can cause lung or liver cancer in humans. If you’ve been using Zantac over a long period of time, the chances of you developing cancer are higher.
NDMA exposure is linked to cancers including:
- Stomach cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
It’s important that if you or someone you loved has used Zantac that you monitor your health conditions. Knowing the symptoms of cancers caused by NDMA can possibly save your life.
If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately:
- Poor appetite
- Blood in urine or dark urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Back pain
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
- Bloody, light-colored, or greasy stools
- Changes in bowel habits
- Symptoms of anemia, which can include weakness, dizziness, and fatigue
- Painful urination
The sooner you become diagnosed by a medical professional, the sooner you can have your conditions treated. By obtaining your medical records, our lawyers can help you begin building your case against the companies that have harmed you. We can establish liability and secure the compensation you need to pay for your treatment and other damages, which can include any surgeries needed, lost income from having to miss or quit work, and pain and suffering.
How to Dispose of Your Medication
If you’re currently using Zantac, the FDA requests that users dispose of their medications properly in their trash bins at home. It’s also recommended that you schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss alternative treatment options and how to safely get off Zantac. You should also inform your doctor if you’re experiencing any cancer symptoms from using the drug.
Defending Clients Harmed by Drugs
At Bertram & Graf, L.L.C., our product liability attorneys represent clients who have been injured by dangerous drugs from around the country. Pharmaceutical companies shouldn’t abuse their power and get away with the harm they’ve caused. We’re not afraid to go up against power companies and pursue justice on behalf of our clients. We have years of experience defending clients who have been harmed by drugs including Accutane, Talcum, Yaz, Fen-Phen, Topamax, and more. When you take an FDA-approved drug through prescription or over the counter, you expect it to improve your conditions, not deteriorate your health more. We strive to treat each client with the empathy and personalized attention they deserve after such a traumatic incident.
Don’t hesitate after you’ve been negatively affected by a dangerous drug. Our experienced product liability lawyers can hold negligent pharmaceutical companies responsible when you call us for a free consultation at (888) 398-2277, or contact us online.