In October of 2019, retailers of the popular heartburn medication Zantac ceased selling various versions of the drug that is generically known as ranitidine. It’s sold both over the counter and by prescription. The prescription dosages are sold to prevent and treat stomach and intestinal ulcers.
NDMA:
The move was prompted by a finding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that possible extremely high levels of a likely cancer-causing chemical. That finding was announced in September 2019, and by October 1, 2019, retailers like CVS and Walgreens began pulling Zantac and its generic versions from their shelves. The possibly carcinogenic chemical that has been found to be in Zantac is commonly known as NDMA. It’s highly toxic to the liver. There was a time when it was even used to make gasoline and rocket fuel. Although some say that it might come from contamination during the manufacturing process, it’s more likely a byproduct of ranitidine that’s created as a result of digesting it.
The types of cancer that are believed to be caused by ranitidine and NDMA are wide ranging. Here are just a few of the types of cancer that NDMA is believed to be linked to:
- Liver Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Intestinal Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
How Much NDMA in Zantac is Too Much?
A spokesman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has remarked that when testing Zantac, it had “detected NDMA in limited ranitidine samples at low levels, these levels still exceed what [the] FDA considers acceptable for these products.” That might be the biggest understatement of 2019. The online pharmacy company Valisure found greater than 3 million nanograms per tablet. According to the FDA, the acceptable intake is 96 Nanograms per day.
The Allegations:
Appropriate lawsuits against Zantac’s manufacturer have already been filed. Here are some of the allegations:
- The manufacturer misrepresented Zantac as being safe and effective.
- The manufacturer failed to disclose that Zantac contained impurities.
- There was a failure to warn the public of the known risks of using Zantac.
- The manufacturer made and distributed a dangerously defective medication.
Cancer Claims in Kentucky:
We represent clients in all of Kentucky and southern Indiana. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer after using Zantac, you’ll want to speak with our Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible and arrange for a free consultation and case review. Request a free consultation to learn whether you’re eligible to seek compensation for your damages and losses.
