**The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested on April 1, 2020 that all manufacturers withdraw all Zantac and generic Zantac OTC ranitidine drugs from the market immediately. The FDA determined that N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some ranitidine medications “increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels…”**
If you or a loved one developed cancer after taking Zantac or its generic equivalent ranitidine, you may be entitled to significant compensation and should contact the law firm of Russell & Hill, PLLC for a free case evaluation.
The FDA announced on April 1, 2020, that they were requesting the manufacturers of Zantac and other generic ranitidine medications to remove the products from the market immediately. This recall came after most major pharmaceutical companies already made the decision to remove the prescription and over-the-counter Zantac from their shelves in 2019.
The FDA has asked all consumers who have prescriptions for or take over-the-counter Zantac or ranitidine generic products to stop taking them immediately and speak with their doctor about alternative treatments.
Zantac and its generic equivalent, ranitidine, have been shown to contain a substance known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) and is also a known environmental contaminant.
Prolonged exposure to NDMA has been linked to a wide variety of cancers. In the summer of 2019, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) became aware of independent laboratory testing that found NDMA in ranitidine.
This FDA testing and evaluation prompted by information from third-party laboratories confirmed that NDMA levels increase in ranitidine even under normal storage conditions, and NDMA has been found to increase significantly in samples stored at higher temperatures, including temperatures the product may be exposed to during distribution and handling by consumers. The testing also showed that the older a ranitidine product is, or the longer the length of time since it was manufactured, the greater the level of NDMA. These conditions may raise the level of NDMA in the ranitidine product above the acceptable daily intake limit. NDMA is now suspected of causing a wide variety of cancers.
The scope and breadth of the harm caused by these drugs could be breathtaking. Zantac has been on the market in the United States since it gained FDA approval in 1983, and was more widely distributed starting in 1994 as a generic known as ranitidine.
On April 1, 2020, the FDA requested the immediate withdrawal of all ranitidine (Zantac) products.
Ranitidine is an over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drug. Ranitidine is an H2 (histamine-2) blocker, which decreases the amount of acid created by the stomach. Over-the-counter ranitidine is approved to prevent and relieve heartburn associated with acid ingestion and sour stomach.
Prescription ranitidine is approved for multiple indications, including treatment and prevention of ulcers of the stomach and intestines and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All forms of Zantac and ranitidine have been marketed to treat the following ailments:
Unfortunately, both the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) forms of Zantac and ranitidine have been linked to the cancer-causing carcinogen NDMA. People who have taken these drugs in either the prescription or OTC form can be affected and thus can be entitled to compensation.
The risks of cancer associated with Zantac, ranitidine, and NDMA are gastric, or stomach, cancers such as gastric adenocarcinoma or Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors. Again, the risk of these cancers is rare and is still up for debate in terms of exposure to levels of NDMA present in these medications.
In addition to stomach cancers, there are concerns that Zantac, ranitidine, and the associated presence of NDMA may also cause colorectal cancers or possible bladder cancers. If you had been taking Zantac and were diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you should speak with an attorney:
Aside from the concerns around cancer, Zantac and ranitidine have other, less serious side effects such as headaches, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
Some retailers sell ranitidine under their own brand name. Examples of ranitidine brand names include:
Most individuals who contract cancer from possible NDMA exposure in Zantac will not have the resources to thoroughly investigate their case and determine whether or not they have a viable path forward with a lawsuit. Let our Washington product liability attorneys at Russell & Hill, PLLC, help you with your case today.
We are part of a network of law firms around the country that are working toward holding the manufacturers of ranitidine responsible for the disease and anguish caused by their dangerous product.
If you have taken Zantac or generic ranitidine for at least one year and have subsequently been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible for compensation if you pursue a lawsuit against the manufacturers of this drug. The compensation awarded could potentially cover your past and future damages. These damages could include compensation for the cost of medical treatment associated with your cancer, loss of income if you could not work, loss of future earnings if your wage loss will continue, and physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship in a consortium claim.
There are multiple drugs approved for the same or similar uses as ranitidine that do not carry the same risks from NDMA. To date, the FDA’s testing has not found NDMA in the following drugs:
If you or somebody you love has taken Zantac or another form of ranitidine and subsequently been diagnosed with cancer, speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our experienced team is taking these cases for clients throughout Washington and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to secure for compensation for your case, which could include:
If you need a Washington Zantac recall attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.
