If you are wondering can you just stop taking ranitidine, realize you may suffer stomach pain or symptoms related to acid reflux or heartburn if you just stop taking ranitidine or ranitidine-containing products such as the over-the-counter brand name drug, Zantac.
Ranitidine and Heartburn
Ranitidine is a drug used for heartburn and acid reflux. Typically known as the over-the-counter medication, Zantac, ranitidine effectively provided relief for decades to those suffering from acid indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn by blocking certain components in the stomach that oftentimes produce acid. This H2 blocker does not block acid production, but rather relieves the symptoms of painful acid reflux and heartburn by reducing the amount of acid found within the stomach.
FDA Recall of Ranitidine
Research in 2019 determined that ranitidine would react with itself as well as with specific human enzymes to form a known carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). While many environmental groups and worldwide organizations have research on the cancer-causing properties of NDMA, it was only recently discovered with ranitidine. Within just a short period of time certain pharmaceutical companies such as Appco Pharma LLC, Northwind Pharmaceutical, and Sanofi Pharmaceutical all voluntarily recalled their products containing ranitidine. Finally, in 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a mandatory recall of all ranitidine-containing medications.
What You Should Do if You Take Ranitidine
The FDA states that any patient that takes a medication containing ranitidine should immediately contact their healthcare provider or physician regarding other treatment options for their heartburn, acid reflux, sour stomach, or other gastrointestinal conditions. While you are wondering can I just stop taking ranitidine without danger of serious harm or danger of death, you may experience stomach pain due to the high amounts of acid within your stomach, indigestion that lasts several days, or other symptoms originally related to your acid reflux or heartburn condition. There are several other heartburn and acid reflux medications that exist that do not carry the same risks as Zantac or ranitidine-containing medications. Therefore, visit with your doctor about whether other medications such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), or omeprazole (Prilosec) would be right for your condition now that the FDA has recalled medications containing ranitidine.
Increased Acid Production
Due to the fact that ranitidine-containing medications such as Zantac are no longer on the market, many patients taking this medication may experience some period of time until they can see their healthcare provider regarding their acid reflux or heartburn issue. Again, if a person takes an acid-blocking medication such as ranitidine on a daily basis and abruptly stops, they may have an immediate increase of acid production, which may cause serious levels of discomfort. According to the National Institutes of Health, this occurrence is “rebound acid hyperproduction.” This occurs when a patient just stops taking ranitidine, and can leave them feeling extremely ill, however, there are no risks or dangers of death.
Disposal of Ranitidine
You may still have Zantac and ranitidine-containing products in your home even though there is a complete recall of these medications by the FDA. You should seriously consider whether or not you want to continue taking the medication you have and visit with your healthcare provider regarding your next steps. If you must dispose of any medication such as Zantac that contains the drug ranitidine, make sure to first visit the FDA’s website regarding proper disposal of this type of medication.
Ranitidine, Cancer, and Medical Complications
Harvard Medical School research indicates a connection between ranitidine and cancer following large doses over extended periods of time. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have no evidence of cancer cases directly relating to NDMA in humans, other research such as the National Institutes of Health study directly concluded that NDMA exposure can directly cause liver cancer. Along with cancer, ranitidine has shown to increase the risk of liver damage and disease as well as other serious medical conditions. If you develop any kind of medical complications or any form of cancer following your consumption of ranitidine over a long period of time, you should visit with your healthcare provider as soon as possible for your next steps.
How a Zantac Ranitidine Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer Can Help
If you are a patient that suffered from serious heartburn or acid reflux over a long period of time, and took a medication containing ranitidine, you may have a higher risk of developing certain serious medical conditions including some types of cancer. If you feel you developed a serious medical condition as a result of taking Zantac or other ranitidine medications, the legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand how a Zantac ranitidine cancer lawsuit lawyer can help you with your case. Contact us today at (800) 635-1144 for a free consultation and to help you understand your legal options.