Ranitidine Cancer Attorney
Since the 1970s, Zantac (the brand name for ranitidine) has been used mainly to treat heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. Many people took the medicine on a daily basis to stave off acid reflux and other problems. However, various pharmaceutical companies have recalled ranitidine due to concerns over carcinogens in the drug.
In October 2019, many drug stores stopped selling Zantac and its generic versions over cancer concerns. The major concern is the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This chemical is a known carcinogen and was recently discovered in ranitidine. While NDMA is present in a variety of everyday objects, high levels can be extremely dangerous.
Because of the high levels of NDMA in Zantac and generic ranitidine, the risk of adverse effects like cancer is present. At TonaLaw, our attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve if you develop cancer or other health issues after taking this medicine.
Call us at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Zantac cancer lawyer today.
What’s the Risk with Zantac?
The risk with Zantac comes down to the presence of NDMA. This chemical was originally used to make rocket fuel many years ago, but that practice was stopped when high levels of NDMA were found in the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, this chemical may also be a byproduct of manufacturing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NDMA can also be found in a variety of everyday sources, including:
- Chewing tobacco and tobacco smoke
- Cosmetic products
- Toilet paper
- Cured meat, cheese, fish, beer and other food products
- Detergents and pesticides
- Interior car air
- And more
NDMA is classified as a “probable carcinogen” by both the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It’s given this classification because the chemical modifies your DNA. It can also severely damage your liver. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits permissible daily intake of NDMA at 96 nanograms; for reference, a nanogram is a billionth of a gram.
However, drug testing company Valisure found that ranitidine tablets across multiple manufacturers and dosages had an extremely high level of NDMA. In fact, these drugs contained an excess of 3 million nanograms of the carcinogen.
The FDA currently classifies NDMA as an impurity found in ranitidine. However, Valisure asserts that the carcinogen is a byproduct of the ingredients used to create ranitidine. While the formation of NDMA in ranitidine is rather complicated, Valisure believes the cause boils down to the “inherent disability” of the ranitidine molecule.
The company believes the drug interacts with the warm environment of the stomach and therefore transforms into NDMA. However, more testing is required to verify these claims.
It’s important to note that the risks associated with NDMA have only been observed so far in animals, and only limited studies have been conducted on humans. As such, the risks of ranitidine in humans are relatively unknown at this point. But, global health organizations see NDMA as a potential risk, and all use of this chemical should be suspended until more research is conducted.
Recent Ranitidine Recalls to Be Aware Of
There has been a multitude of recalls put out by manufacturers of Ranitidine since news of the increased levels of NDMA broke. As of February 2020, these recalls included:
-
- Sept. 23, 2019: Sandoz Inc. issues a voluntary recall of ranitidine hydrochloride capsules (150 mg and 300 mg)
- Sept. 25, 2019: Apotex Corp. issues voluntary recall of ranitidine tablets (75 mg and 150 mg)
- Oct. 22, 2019: Sanofi issues voluntary recall of all varieties of over-the-counter Zantac in the US
- Oct. 23, 2019: Perrigo Company, PLC issues voluntary recall of all ranitidine pack sizes; a variety of large pharmacies recall ranitidine tablets and capsules
- Oct. 25, 2019: Novitium Pharma issues voluntary recall of ranitidine hydrochloride capsules (150 mg and 300 mg)
- Nov. 6, 2019: Aurobindo & DG Health issues voluntary recall of ranitidine
- Nov. 8, 2019: American Health Packaging issues voluntary recall of ranitidine liquid unit dose cups
- Nov. 15, 2019: Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. issues voluntary recall of ranitidine HCl capsules (150 mg and 300 mg)
- Nov. 19, 2019: Precision Dose issues voluntary recall of ranitidine oral solution (USP 150 mg/10 mL)
- Nov. 22, 2019: Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC issues voluntary recall for ranitidine tablet (150 mg and 300 mg), as well as ranitidine syrup (15 mg/mL)
- Dec. 17, 2019: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issues voluntary recall for ranitidine tablets (150 mg and 300 mg)
- Jan. 7, 2020: Appco Pharma LLC issues voluntary recall for ranitidine tablets (150 mg and 300 mg)
- Jan. 8, 2020: Denton Pharma, Inc. (a.k.a. Northwind Pharmaceuticals) issues voluntary recall for ranitidine tablets (150 mg and 300 mg)
What’s Happening Now with Zantac Lawsuits?
Currently, the exact risks of Zantac and generic ranitidine are unknown. However, lawsuits are already being filed against the manufacturers of these drugs. In late February 2020, the lawsuit count was up to 141. The lawsuits have been assigned to a federal judge in West Palm Beach, Florida, and they will be handled as multidistrict litigation.
Essentially, multidistrict litigation takes similar lawsuits involving a large number of people from across the United States and transfers them all to one court. In order to be a part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL), the cases must have one or more “questions of fact” in common. In this case, the common “question of fact” maybe, “Does ranitidine cause cancer?”
MDL is extremely complicated, and therefore you should have a lawyer who has a lot of experience representing clients in these types of cases. TonaLaw has helped clients get the compensation they deserve through MDL, class action suits and other lawsuits involving large groups.
Call a Zantac Cancer Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you have taken Zantac or the generic ranitidine and have since developed cancer or other health problems as a result of exposure to NDMA, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at TonaLaw are here to help. We know how to file and prosecute a lawsuit on your behalf, whether in local or federal court, to hold the manufacturers of ranitidine accountable.
Call us at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Zantac cancer lawyer today.
What Our Clients Are Saying
