Everything You Need To Know About Zantac

You may have heard that Zantac was recently recalled. You may be used to take or have been taking Zantac yourself. The following will break down everything you need to know about Zantac and the newly discovered risks associated with it.

What Is Zantac?

Zantac was one of the most popular medications in the United States in the 80s. It is a heartburn pill that has recently been taken out of all three of America’s largest pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid) along with the generic alternatives. The heartburn medication used by millions of people was pulled after the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) warned that it might contain an impurity (NDMA) that was potentially dangerous. A quick visit to this site will let you know of the breakdown of the types of cancer associated with Zantac and information on the pending class-action lawsuit. Given the negligence present in the entire situation, many are pursuing a legal response. Hundreds of Zantac lawsuits have been filed in the last few months as consumers were never warned about the cancer-causing risk of the medication they were being given.

What Is NDMA?

NDMA is a chemical that is noted for being a probable carcinogen. Part of the class of molecules called nitrosamines; it’s an oily, yellow molecule found in low levels in smoked meats and certain vegetables. The chemical is combustible and releases toxic fumes when heated. It was historically used to make rocket fuel. The main use nowadays? Creating tumors in laboratory animals to do cancer research.

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Agency for Research On Cancer classify NDMA as a probable human carcinogen due to its tumor-causing effects in animals. It has been the reason other drugs were recalled in the past (commonly found in blood pressure, heartburn, and diabetes medications).

Zantac and NDMA

Unlike other instances of NDMA-contaminated drugs, Zantac’s active ingredient ranitidine can break down into smaller molecules. In some environments—like the human stomach—these molecules can combine to form NDMA. Dangerous amounts of NDMA—the FDA says humans can ingest 96 nanograms per day without significant health effects. Note that 96 nanograms is nearly 600 times smaller than a grain of salt. Also, note the term significant. It still causes health effects at the dosage of 96 nanograms per day, but they have been deemed statistically insignificant.

Applause for Valisure

The NDMA-Zantac discovery was made by the online pharmacy Valisure. Valisure uses a Connecticut laboratory to test drugs from its own pharmacy to ensure purity and quality. They decided to examine a few heartburn drugs to see if NDMA was present. They found the active ingredient in Zantac, ranitidine, to break down and then form NDMA—304,500 nanograms, to be exact. Other ranitidine products like cool mint Zantac 75 and Zantac OTC had more than two million nanograms. They immediately notified the FDA in a citizen petition.

The FDA responded three months later, saying they found “low levels” of NDMA and that nitrates in the stomach could combine to form NDMA after someone takes Zantac. However, they said that nitrates in the human stomach were not a normal or average condition, so they did not pull drugs containing ranitidine.

An independent study was published in February of 2021 that found ranitidine could result in the formation of substantial and unsafe levels of NDMA in the stomach. The FDA has not yet commented on the study.

While Valisure deserves applause for doing the research, it’s worth noting that the possibility of Ranitidine converting into NDMA once inside the body was suggested three years ago in a paper published by Stanford University and Syracuse University. Ten volunteers took one tablet of Zantac. Their urine tests found NDMA levels over 400 times the “safe” amount.

What To Do If You Or A Loved One Has Been Using Zantac

First and foremost, if you are taking a recalled medication—stop taking it. Visit your doctor immediately. Explain the situation and talk about the options available to you. Speak about treatments and lifestyle changes that can heal an esophagus damaged by stomach acid—not just medications that relieve the pain by neutralizing stomach acid. Research has found that simple dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly ease heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.

If you took Zantac and later developed cancer, you might be eligible for financial compensation. If you want to pursue a legal course of action, speak to an attorney who specializes in negligence related to medication, drugs, or pharmaceutical companies.

The above information should have made clear the risks associated with Zantac. If you feel you have been exposed to NDMA due to Zantac use, speak to a doctor and lawyer as soon as you are able.