You should be concerned about NDMA if you used Zantac for a long period of time to control indigestion, heartburn, or other ailments related to over-acidification in the stomach. If you recently experienced sudden or unexpected changes in health, such as a loss of appetite, weight loss, issues with the bowels, abdominal pain, or unexplained rashes or headaches, you should speak with your doctor about possible NDMA poisoning and even cancer.
According to Mayo Clinic, NDMA is an organic compound that is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat. It can also be found in many processed consumables such as beer, bacon, and a variety of cheeses.
Unsafe levels of NDMA were recently found in ranitidine, the chemical marketed as Zantac. It is used to control acid production in the stomach. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for all ranitidine products, stating that the NDMA could cause cancer in humans.
NDMA and the Zantac Recall
NDMA is currently classified as a possible human carcinogen. It is known to cause a variety of cancers such as liver and lung cancer in animals exposed to it for several weeks. For example, rats and mice developed tumors in the liver and lungs after being exposed to NDMA, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
What happened to the animals in the tests is a good indicator of what can happen when a human ingests too much NDMA.
Zantac has been used for decades and was widely known to be an effective medication for controlling acid production in the stomach and illnesses such as stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The manufacturers of Zantac contend that NDMA levels in Zantac are not significantly higher than the levels of NDMA found naturally in many foods. However, NDMA is a volatile organic compound, and it may react with acids in the stomach to release dangerous levels of NDMA in the body–levels high enough to cause cancer, especially if used over the long run.
The FDA also found that the NDMA level in Zantac can become higher than the safe limit over time, and at temperatures higher than room temperature.
Effects of NDMA Contamination
According to the FDA, consuming the safe daily intake level of NDMA—which is set at 96 nanograms per day—does not increase the likelihood of an individual developing cancer. This holds true even if this amount is consumed daily over the course of a person’s lifetime. However, levels of NDMA consumption beyond this safe level can lead to a wide range of health issues.
Symptoms of NDMA poisoning include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Rashes
- Stomach cramps
- Damage in the liver and kidney
You should be concerned about NDMA if you experience any of these symptoms. Consult your doctor about your concerns to see if you have any NDMA-related illnesses. If you do, you might benefit from filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Zantac or any other party liable for your illness.
For a free legal consultation with a Should I Be Concerned About NDMA? Lawyer serving nationwide, call (800) 635-1144
Seeking Legal Assistance
Several groups are at-risk for NDMA-related health issues. They mostly include the elderly and those who may have taken Zantac or any other form of ranitidine for a long time in the past.
If you experience sudden changes in your health after you regularly took Zantac to control your acid reflux or stomach ulcers, we might be able to help you. Anyone who regularly used Zantac and sustained injuries or health issues such as cancer, as a result, did so through no fault of their own, and they should be compensated for their injuries. Some awards could include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Medical transportation costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
If you are concerned about NDMA, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a private consultation about your case by calling (800) 635-1144. We take all of our cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we only collect a fee when we win your case for you. We do not shy away from tough cases, and even though studies are currently underway to determine the exact cause and nature of NDMA contamination in over the counter drugs and its interactions with chemicals in the body, we are here to help.
Call or text (800) 635-1144 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
