How Likely Are You to Get Cancer From Zantac?

Those who normally take over the counter drugs like Zantac are probably wondering why it’s no longer on store shelves. A few months back, there was a major recall on Zantac, and its generic counterpart, ranitidine. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a typical recall. It turns out the popular medication has been linked to a well-known carcinogen. If you are concerned about any symptoms of cancer you might be experiencing, you should consult with a physician right away. If it turns out you have been harmed by this drug, you should learn more about your legal rights, and speak with an experienced attorney.

What is Ranitidine?

Ranitidine, or the commercial name, Zantac is a histamine-2 blocker. The purpose of this drug is to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. This is helpful for anyone suffering from heartburn, GERD, gastric ulcers, and more. Originally, the drug was only available via prescription, However, after years of use, and being one of the most prescribed medications in America, an OTC version was released. There seemed to be no significant adverse incidents, so the drug continued to be available for consumer use.

Voluntary recall

In September of 2019, the FDA released a report claiming N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been discovered in some samples of Zantac. This prompted manufacturers, even ones who didn’t test positive for NDMA, to recall their products out of caution. NDMA is labeled as an extremely hazardous toxin. NDMA was previously used in aviation and industrial lubricants. In 1986, it was officially labeled as hazardous, and strict reporting regulations were implemented. NDMA is one of the most potent carcinogens known today. It has been shown to cause cancer in both prolonged uses, and even in short term exposure.

Side effects of Zantac include irregular or rapid heartbeat, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, Increased risk of pneumonia, Nervous system disorders, Jaundice, liver failure, hepatitis, skin rashes, hair loss and low platelet levels in the blood. Overexposure to NDMA can cause headaches, nausea, jaundice, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, dizziness, reduced function of the lungs, liver, and kidneys, and an enlarged liver.

If you are concerned about your chances of getting cancer from Zantac, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. There is no way to test for your chances of getting cancer from NDMA. However, their have been tests on animals that show longer exposure increases your risk.

Injured by Someone’s Negligence? Contact The Law Giant

At Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers, we understand how traumatic events like this can be. That’s why we are committed to helping victims recover compensation through personal injury lawsuits. If you have been injured and negligence may have caused the injury, you should promptly talk to an attorney with experience in personal injury and negligence cases. Your lawyer will know what your rights are under the law. You may be entitled to compensation. contact our firm today at (866) 523-4167 to schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case.