Every day, millions of heartburn and acid-reflux sufferers turn to over-the-counter medications such as Zantac to help soothe their sour stomachs. However, the popular drug which has been available for adults, children, and even infants for decades has been found to be contaminated by a potentially cancer-causing chemical, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Meyers & Flowers is now working with those who have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac for simple heartburn symptoms.
The generic drug ranitidine, known under the brand name Zantac, is categorized as a histamine-2 blocker. Zantac reduces the amount of acid in the stomach and also is used to treat and prevent ulcers. The FDA approved prescription Zantac for the short-term treatment of ulcers in 1983. Over-the-counter Zantac received FDA approval in 2004.
Zantac products were one of the most popular heartburn and antacid medications. ZANTAC 75® Regular Strength and ZANTAC 150® Maximum Strength tablets were recommended for adults and children. Even infants with acid-reflux often were prescribed ranitidine syrups. Boxes and bottles could be purchased at pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, airports, and membership warehouses clubs.
In early 2019, a third-party laboratory reported some dangerous findings about Zantac to the FDA. Testing showed high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the product, well above the approved, acceptable limits set by the government agency.
By fall, Zantac and other ranitidine products were being removed from store shelves by pharmacy chains such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite-Aid, and other retail stores both in the U.S. and Canada. Zantac was then recalled by its manufacturer, the pharmaceutical giant Sanofi SA.
The official warning from the FDA, issued in April 2020, confirmed that the potential cancer-causing contaminant NDMA could build up in the product over time. The agency stated: “the impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels of this impurity.”
NDMA is classified as a B2 carcinogen, a substance that could cause cancer in humans. Research has shown that exposure to high amounts of NDMA has been linked to several different types of cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The compound is also extremely toxic to the liver.
For decades, heartburn and acid-reflux sufferers often turned to Zantac for both occasional and long-term treatment of their stomach ailments. Many adults may be taking or giving their children the heartburn medication, not realizing that it has been recalled and the significant warnings about the product.
Meyers & Flowers is currently working with clients who, unfortunately, have developed cancer either while taking or after taking Zantac. Contact us if you or a family member have taken Zantac and been diagnosed with any of the following:
Meyers & Flowers has spent close to 20 years pursuing justice for those injured or killed by dangerous drugs, such as Zantac. Our team realizes how these drugs impact the lives of the victims and their families.
We navigate clients through the complex legal and medical issues relating to a recalled product, from the many medical appointments to the legal depositions and court proceedings.
We understand successful litigation depends on scrutinizing every aspect of the case and each step of a legal proceeding from the initial filing to the jury summation.
If you or a family member have been taking Zantac and have been diagnosed with cancer, the Meyers & Flowers legal team can help.
Contact the Meyers & Flowers team for more information about exploring your legal options. We can be reached at [email protected] or 877-221-2511.
© Meyers & Flowers Trial Attorneys. All Rights Reserved. Web Design & Internet Marketing by Studio III
