Zantac, the popular brand of ranitidine, was approved first in 1983 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is used for treating heartburn with stomach ulcers, acid indigestion, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, and some stomach acid production issues. The brand was owned by several drug manufacturers and Sanofi-Aventis is its current manufacturer.
Unfortunately, even though Zantac is formulated to reduce acid levels in one’s stomach, it appears that this has been distributed with some cancer-causing impurities that led to a Zantac lawsuit.
According to the FDA, a probable human carcinogen and a renowned environmental contaminant were detected in several ranitidine formulations, which include Zantac and some generic label products.
Since heartburn is common to many people, it isn’t surprising that a lot of people were alarmed by the announcement of the FDA. Besides, numerous Americans experience heartburn-related discomfort often, and most of them take this kind of medication to experience relief. But just a few weeks after the FDA made an announcement about Zantac and ranitidine drugs, concerns have grown, with many pharmacy chains pulling out such drugs from their shelves voluntarily.
So, is it really possible that you can get cancer from Zantac?
What to Know about the NDMA from Zantac
NDMA or N-nitrosodimethylamine is what the FDA refers to as a known environmental contaminant. It’s dangerous for the reason that it’s considered a potential human carcinogen, which is a compound that can cause cancer.
NDMA is familiar to some people because it’s one of the impurities that led to a huge scale recall of particular medications for blood pressure. NDMA is basically a contaminant that may form naturally or through different chemical or industrial processes, based on the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency. Due to this, it may be found in several sources, including water, cosmetic products, cigarette smoke, and foods like cured or smoked fish and meats. In addition to that, there’s other research suggesting that this compound may also be formed once the body absorbs ranitidine.
In recent lab tests, the FDA stated that the NDMA levels found in ranitidine products have barely exceeded what one may find in other common foods.
Should You Still Take Zantac?
In a public statement, the FDA does not recommend people to stop taking every ranitidine product in the market. Consumers who take over-the-counter ranitidine might consider the use of some OTC products approved for their medical condition. People who take prescription ranitidine who want to discontinue using such drugs must talk to their doctor or physician regarding some treatment options. Various drugs are approved for uses similar to ranitidine.
If you are not taking Zantac or other ranitidine products often, you may take another H2 blocker. H2 blockers like cimetidine and famotidine don’t have NDMA contamination. Patients may also use an antacid that can be effective in the short-term and offers immediate relief to keep your body healthy.
Do You Really Have to Worry about Zantac and Cancer?
If you have been taking Zantac and other ranitidine products to get relief from heartburn, you have to take note that the chances you will develop cancer are very low based on the statement by the FDA. Even if NDMA can cause harm, the levels that the FDA found in the preliminary tests did not exceed the amount you could expect to find in other common foods.
For this reason, you must talk to your doctor for an assessment or evaluation once you experience strange symptoms that are concerning you. Symptoms such as bloody stools, unintentional weight loss, abdominal pain, weakness or fatigue are worth bringing up once you consult your doctor. This is very important, especially if you have relatives who were diagnosed with cancer in the past.
While heartburn is definitely painful, there are some options available for you when it comes to treatments. You do not always need to rely on Zantac or NDMA-contaminated drugs. In fact, you can try some holistic ways to treat your heartburn. However, before you consider any treatment or method to get relief from heartburn, you must always tell your doctor first, most particularly if you have an underlying medical condition. Let your doctor recommend the best treatment for your health needs to avoid any possible problems in the long run.
The Bottom Line
If you are taking Zantac and you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, never hesitate to contact any Zantac lawyers. You deserve justice and are entitled to get financial compensation just like other patients who have taken some drugs that are possibly NDMA-contaminated. Just make sure to hire the best lawyer who specializes in similar cases to file a Zantac lawsuit and get positive outcomes.