The popular heartburn drug Zantac has been implicated in a recent ranitidine recall from several different companies, in response to a risk of contamination with a potentially dangerous impurity.

On Oct. 23, the FDA announced new recalls and updates on existing recalls issued by pharma companies Dr. Reddy’s, Perrigo, and Sanofi. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories issued a voluntary ranitidine recall of its ranitidine medications on Oct. 1, affecting both over-the-counter and prescription versions of the drug.  According to the FDA’s announcement, Dr. Reddy’s has not received any report of side effects caused by issues related to this ranitidine recall.

Similarly, Perrigo announced on Oct. 23 that it had issued a voluntary recall of all of its ranitidine products. The company announcement stated that this was a “precautionary measure.” According to the announcement, Perrigo has reached out to its customers about the recall, and all shipments of ranitidine were halted on Oct. 8, 2019.

Sanofi issued its voluntary recall of ranitidine products on Oct. 18, which affects its customers in Canada and the U.S. The company uses other suppliers worldwide for ranitidine and has not issued a recall for those.

Zantac (also known by its generic name, ranitidine) is used as a heartburn medication, and works to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It is commonly used to treat stomach acid related symptoms like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), among others.

The voluntary ranitidine recall came after confirmed contamination of these drugs with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above FDA-okayed levels. NDMA is an environmental contaminant that is classified as a probable human carcinogen—that is, a substance that can probably cause cancer in humans. The FDA considers one microgram (or one millionth of a gram) of NDMA “reasonably safe” to consumer per day, but any more than that can lead to serious risk.

Prior to these recalls, the FDA had issued a note warning patients and healthcare professionals alike that NDMA had been found in ranitidine samples. The public statement was issued on Sept. 13, asking manufacturers of ranitidine drugs to conduct their own testing as well. Since then, major retailers like Walmart and CVS have pulled Zantac and generic ranitidine from their shelves.

Filing a Zantac Lawsuit

Already, lawsuits have been filed over Zantac by plaintiffs who allege that contaminated medication caused their cancer diagnoses. If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects after taking contaminated ranitidine products, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by these health complications, 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.