You might be able to know if your cancer was caused by Zantac by speaking with your doctor. It is very difficult to know if your cancer was caused by a certain risk factor, according to the American Cancer Society, but a doctor might be able to compare your Zantac usage history with the development of the common side effects and symptoms of cancer associated with ranitidine.
Ranitidine is a chemical compound used in the treatment of stomach ulcers and acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Zantac is a highly recognized and widely used brand-name version of ranitidine. It became the best-selling prescription drug a few years after its initial release almost 40 years ago and then became available over the counter. However, a carcinogenic toxin known as NDMA was found in samples of the drug from multiple manufacturers. NDMA has been shown to cause cancer in animals and can cause kidney and liver damage, even if consumed at low levels.
NDMA, Cancer, and Zantac
NDMA is a toxin that can be found in everything from fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy products. Human studies of the causes and effects of NDMA poisoning are limited, but NDMA has been linked to several cancers in animals.
Cancers of the lungs and liver were found in studies that exposed animals to NDMA for weeks at a time. Long-term human exposure to NDMA is believed to cause the same cancers, and NDMA is especially dangerous to unborn fetuses. If you took Zantac or ranitidine that was contaminated with NDMA, you might be at risk for these cancers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that all ranitidine products be taken off the market and that consumers stop using the drug. While the FDA is still testing and evaluating NDMA in ranitidine, the evidence from preliminary studies suggests that Zantac might cause cancer.
One possibility is that ranitidine breaks down naturally to form NDMA, but studies have found that NDMA levels rise higher than the FDA-approved safe daily ingestion limit over time and at higher temperatures.
Symptoms of NDMA Poisoning
If you used Zantac in the past and experience any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor immediately to test for possible cancer. Some of the following symptoms could indicate health problems related to NDMA:
- Poor appetite leading to unintentional weight loss.
- Bloody stool.
- Feeling nauseous.
- A dramatic change in your bowel habits.
- Anemia, which can be identified by weakness and fatigue.
- Abdominal pain that is not associated with heartburn.
- Dark urine or urine containing blood.
Cancer Types
If you have any of the symptoms above and took Zantac, your cancer may have been caused by Zantac via the ingestion of NDMA. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the types of cancer associated with NDMA include:
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Lymphoma
If you or a loved one has experienced any symptoms that are related to NDMA and Zantac, see your doctor immediately. You might also benefit from speaking with an attorney if you used Zantac in the past or used ranitidine in any form for your peptic ulcers or GERD. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical treatments and other costs.
Due to the wide usage of Zantac and other medications used to control stomach ulcers and acid reflux, Zantac has been used by tens of millions of Americans–if not more–over the last few decades. If NDMA contamination of ranitidine is the source of the issue, you could benefit from filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer fo Zantac, and any other at-fault parties.
Contact Us Today
You should speak with your doctor and a product liability lawyer if you recently experienced health changes or any of the symptoms above so that your case can be investigated. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm might be able to help you.
We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay us nothing up front. We do not get paid until your case results in financial recovery. Most cases settle outside of court, but at the chance we cannot reach a reasonable settlement through negotiations, we are ready to take your case to trial. Call us today for a free case evaluation at (800) 635-1144.