FDA Recalls Zantac due to its “Risk to Public Health”

In a major development in the Zantac cancer litigation, the FDA announced a recall of all Zantac and other ranitidine products from the market, citing “new FDA studies ‘that show a risk to public health. You can read the FDA’s press release here.

The FDA had previously expressed skepticism about a major scientific study released last September that established a link between Zantac and the deadly carcinogen, “NDMA.” Now, the FDA has conducted its own tests and verified that Zantac creates NDMA when stored at room temperature. The FDA also found that the NDAM increases 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.

The FDA is advising consumers taking over-the-counter Zantac and ranitidine to stop taking any tablets or liquid they currently have, dispose of them properly, and not buy more. For those taking prescription Zantac and ranitidine, you should consult with your doctor.

Although the FDA is late in acting, the FDA’s recall is a positive step forward in stopping the harm that has been caused by this dangerous drug for the last 40 years. The dangerous drug attorneys at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton are assisting people who have sustained injuries as a result of using Zantac. Zantac, a medication that is available through prescription or over-the-counter, has been associated with the increased risk of cancer development. If you regularly used Zantac and have been diagnosed with cancer, call our Zantac lawsuit attorneys at (855) 965-1688 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help your claim.

Zantac and Its Uses

“Zantac” is the brand name for the drug “ranitidine,” which reduces acid in the stomach and is used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The forerunner to the drug company GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”) launched Zantac in 1984, and within three years, Zantac became the first billion dollar-selling drug in the US.

After being sold as a prescription-only drug for 13 years, over-the-counter (OTC) Zantac hit the market in 1996. Generic ranitidine hit the market in 1997, but name-brand Zantac continued to be sold successfully until finally recalled by the manufacturer on October 18, 2019. As recently as 2018, Zantac was one of the top-10 heartburn medicines with $128 million in annual sales.

The Dangers of Zantac

In 2019, the online pharmacy Valisure published the results of its study showing that Zantac, when ingested by humans, produces unsafe amounts of the chemical compound “NDMA” (N-Nitrosodimethylamine). NDMA is classified as a B2 (probable human) carcinogen. NDMA was once used in the production of liquid rocket fuel, antioxidants, and other industrial uses, but those uses have been discontinued due to the dangers of NDMA. NDMA also occurs in foods (through fermentation in beer, and in smoked and cured meats, for example) and through natural processes. NDMA is used by cancer researchers to cause cancer in animal control groups. It is such a potent carcinogen that it causes cancer in animals almost every time it is used.

During its study, Valisure found that Zantac produced unsafe levels of NDMA, which Valisure attributed to the inherent instability of the ranitidine molecule when exposed to heat or the nitrites found in the human stomach. Valisure filed a Citizen’s Petition with the FDA asking the FDA to recall Zantac. You can find the results of the Valisure study here.

Several other studies published over the last 30 years support Valisure’s conclusion that Zantac produces unsafe amounts of NDMA. For example, a study by researchers at Stanford University showed that people who took one Zantac pill experienced a 400 percent increase in the levels of NDMA found in their urine.

And fifty years of independent studies conclusively prove that NDMA is a very dangerous carcinogen. The FDA, the EPA, and the World Health Organization all classify NDMA as a carcinogen.

In September 2019, the FDA issued a warning regarding the unsafe levels of NDMA found in Zantac and generic ranitidine. Over thirty countries have either issued a mandatory recall for Zantac or banned its sale. Most U.S. pharmacies have pulled Zantac from their shelves as a result of learning of the cancer risk posed by Zantac.
The following cancers are associated with Zantac:

• Bladder cancer
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Intestinal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Uterine cancer

How Can a Zantac Lawsuit Attorney Help My Claim?

Numerous people have been affected by Zantac and NDMA over the last thirty years, and mounting evidence suggests that the makers of Zantac knew about its dangers but concealed that information from the public. If you took Zantac and developed cancer, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about joining the Zantac lawsuit.

We provide free Zantac case reviews to anyone who fills out our contact form or calls our offices. It costs you nothing to hire us as your lawyers – we do not see a dime unless we win or settle your case.

Common claims for compensation from the manufacturers of Zantac include:

• Medical expenses related to conditions caused by taking Zantac
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earning ability
• Punitive damages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life

A lawyer will evaluate your case to determine what you can claim for, the amount you can claim for as well as who should be held liable for the injury you have sustained. It is important to keep all the documents relevant to the case including medical bills, doctors’ notes, and any other evidence that will support your case. This evidence will be introduced in the lawsuit and will help determine the compensation that you will get.

Call Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton for a Free Consultation on Your Zantac Claim

Our lawyers are experienced in the field of personal injury law and will assist you in presenting a strong Zantac case for compensation.

Get in contact with Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton if you or someone you know has experienced a personal injury due to Zantac. Our lawyers will provide you with a free consultation to evaluate your case. You are under no obligation to retain our services after the first consultation. We also do not require any upfront payments if you do choose to go ahead with a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Zantac. Our fees will only be deducted from the compensation you receive if your lawsuit is successful.

Call our Zantac lawsuit attorneys today to set up an appointment and find out more about the best course of action to take.