The popular heartburn medication, Zantac – generically named ranitidine – has been recalled by various manufacturers and is being investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration for its risk of causing cancer.
The recalls began after recent testing by “Valisure” (a pharmacy that performs independent tests on drug compounds) found unacceptable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac and ranitidine. NDMA is a classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
The finding of NDMA in Zantac and ranitidine may pose significant health risks for people who regularly use Zantac and other ranitidine medications for heartburn, ulcers, and GERD. In fact, in a Citizen’s Petition Letter to the FDA, Valisure stated that the data from its own testing combined with the “scientific works of Stanford University and others . . . builds a compelling case for ranitidine [i.e., Zantac] being a likely human carcinogen.”
The FDA is working to determine just how dangerous the levels of NDMA are on users. NDMA can modify human DNA, increasing the potential risk of cancer.
Zantac (ranitidine) might put patients at risk for the following kinds of cancer:
- Stomach cancer
- Liver cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Bladder cancer
If you or someone you love has taken Zantac or any other ranitidine medication, it’s vital to ensure you know what the risks are and what problems may arise.
At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP, we’re keeping a close eye on how the FDA continues to manage Zantac and other ranitidine medications. We’ll work hard to help those affected in their time of need. If you or a loved one has taken Zantac and would like to investigate a claim, contact us today at (216) 600-0114.
