Emily Sortor  |  July 26, 2022

Category: Heartburn Medication

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Kroger customers who had their personal information compromised in a data breach could be eligible for a cash payment of around $91 or more, thanks to a new class action settlement. (Photo Credit: Amy Lutz/Shutterstock)

UPDATE: The Zantac Recall Lawsuit Investigation is now open! If you take Zantac, submit your information here for a free case review.

Drugs made of ranitidine, including the brand name Zantac, may have been contaminated with a possible cancer-causing chemical, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports.

This report and subsequent series of recalls comes after news of contamination by the same chemical in the case of other drugs, including other heartburn and some blood pressure medications.

Ranitidine is a drug used to treat heartburn and acid indigestion. It is available as both a prescription and over-the-counter drug. It is a histamine-2 blocker, which helps to treat acid indigestion and heartburn by decreasing the amount of acid that the stomach produces.

However, the drug may pose some dangers, due to a possible contamination. According to the FDA, laboratory tests revealed the drug may have been contaminated with NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine). NDMA was reportedly discovered in low levels in the drug, but it could be concerning because NDMA may be able to cause cancer.

The FDA explains that NDMA is an environmental contaminant, and is found in water and foods. Reportedly, it has been found in meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Unfortunately, the contaminant has been found in drugs, as well. NDMA can form as a byproduct of certain industrial processes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The FDA says that NDMA, as well as other contaminants, have been found in other heartburn medications known as Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers, also reportedly as a result of manufacturing. Last year, dozens of prescription blood pressure drugs were recalled over concerns that they had been contaminated with NDMA, according to ABC News. One of the drugs involved in the recall was valsartan.

The recalled drugs had unacceptably high levels of NDMA, reports ABC, whereas Zantac had much lower reported levels.

The FDA’s Director for the Center of Drug Evaluation and Research says that the levels of NDMA were just slightly higher than the levels present in foods like cured and grilled meats, per USA Today.

Because of the possible contamination, worldwide distribution of Zantac was halted, per ABC. This applied to both brand-name and generic forms of the drug. Reportedly, Novartis, the makers of a generic Zantac, halted production of the drugs as a cautionary measure.

Distribution halted until there was “further clarification” about the contaminant problem, reported USA Today, as the company conducted an internal investigation into the issue. Subsequent research has shown that Zantac may actually produce NDMA during digestion – adding to contamination concerns.

In April 2020, the FDA officially requested the removal of all ranitidine products from the market, including the brand name Zantac, and manufacturers began issuing voluntary recalls for their various ranitidine products.

Both patients and medical professionals are invited to report adverse events related to ranitidine use to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program, to help experts better understand the scope of the problem and possible side effects.

Filing a Zantac lawsuit

If you or someone you love has taken Zantac and has been diagnosed with cancer after exposure to Zantac, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Do you currently take Zantac? How will this report impact you? Tell us your story in the comment section below.

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69 thoughts onZantac may contain cancer-linked chemical, FDA warns

  1. Connie J Metts Page says:

    Add me

  2. Christa Lloyf says:

    I’ve taken this for years

  3. Bharati Jain says:

    Ad me

  4. Erica Johnson says:

    Add me please

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