The chemical compound N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) may accumulate in your body if you ingest ranitidine, which is the active ingredient in the antacid Zantac. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the amount of NDMA that may accumulate in your body if you ingest ranitidine.
If you or your loved one’s body accumulated unsafe levels of NDMA, then you could have been at an elevated risk of developing potentially-fatal cancers.
NDMA Is a Probable Carcinogen in Ranitidine
When the FDA discovered in 2019 that ranitidine in Zantac and other medications could produce unsafe levels of NDMA in consumers, they alerted the public. Months later, in April 2020, the FDA formally requested that drug manufacturers producing products containing ranitidine, including Zantac, withdraw those products from markets.
Because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates NDMA as a “probable carcinogen.” The fact that ranitidine could break down into NDMA in the human body suggests that:
- The ingredient ranitidine in Zantac and other medications may be inherently unstable, and therefore inherently unsafe.
- Taking Zantac, generic ranitidine, or other drugs containing ranitidine could increase your risk of developing cancer.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) notes that levels of NDMA in your body, such as those potentially caused by taking Zantac may lead to:
- Kidney cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
The ATSDR adds that NDMA:
- Is particularly harmful to your liver, especially if NDMA accumulates in high levels in your body.
- Could produce non-cancerous but fatal liver disease.
- May also cause lung cancer.
This finding presents a startling revelation considering that drug manufacturers had not alerted consumers to this fact, not in three-plus decades of marketing Zantac to consumers.
Zantac’s Timelines Suggests Negligence
According to Reuters, Zantac first received market approval in 1983, with the FDA giving its endorsement for sale to consumers. According to the FDA, a company seeking FDA approval must:
- Conduct independent testing of their drug.
- Send evidence related to their drug testing to the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
- Pass a panel review by experts employed by the FDA, who will determine whether a drug’s health benefits are worth their potential risks.
The FDA apparently subjected the then-makers of Zantac to these standards, determining that Zantac’s health benefits outweighed its risks and therefore could be sold to consumers.
In light of the recent evidence that ranitidine in Zantac could put consumers at a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, valid questions arise. If you wonder about your legal options, you can consult a Zantac lawyer.
You May Be Eligible for a Zantac Lawsuit
You may have grounds for legal action if you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another compound containing ranitidine. Your lawsuit may involve personal injury or even wrongful death.
Some of the possible defendants in your lawsuit may include:
- One or more drug manufacturers that failed to detect the carcinogenic potential of the ingredient ranitidine.
- Any other medical professionals that did not adequately notify you or your loved one of the dangers of ranitidine or Zantac specifically.
You can speak with us to learn more about your eligibility to join an existing Zantac-ranitidine lawsuit or to bring a lawsuit of your own.
A Lawyer Can Help with Your Zantac-Ranitidine Lawsuit
If you ultimately choose to move forward with litigation involving ranitidine or Zantac specifically, then a lawyer can:
- Gather evidence.
- Obtain medical documentation of your illness.
- Handle all legal paperwork.
- Represent you in all court appearances.
- Seek a settlement that you may find acceptable.
- Defend your rights.
A lawyer can handle the entirety of your legal needs while you focus on other matters that require your attention. If your lawyer obtains a settlement or wins a judgment, then you may receive compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Lost income
- Other losses related to your cancer
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Is Here for You
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we handle Zantac-ranitidine cases. We may be able to help you with yours while you put your attention on your health, recovery, and family.
You do not have to face the legal process without representation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 635-1144 for a free consultation.