Zantac (Ranitidine) Lawsuits
What is Zantac and Ranitidine?
For almost 20 years, Zantac has been the brand name of one of the most popular medications to treat heartburn and indigestion. It works by decreasing the levels of stomach acid with histamine-2 blockers. The antacid drug could easily be found over-the-counter, but was also heavily prescribed by doctors treating more serious acid-producing stomach conditions and ulcers. Millions were purchased in the store and written as prescriptions every year as safe treatment for heartburn, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sour stomach, Barrett's esophagus, acid reflux, and other issues.
The generic name of Zantac, and active ingredient, is a substance called Ranitidine. It was recently acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that medications containing ranitidine contained alarming levels of a carcinogenic substance called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
NDMA has been a notorious health concern, spanning decades, as exposure increases the risks of certain cancers and other internal damages in humans. Although its common to ingest low levels that are naturally present in foods or water, complications and risks can develop from prolonged exposure at greater strengths. The levels of NDMA found in Zantac may be 3,000 to 26,000 times higher than legally allowed by the FDA.
Zantac FDA warnings and drug removal of Ranitidine
In April 2020, the FDA requested the drug be immediately removed from the market and for patients to stop taking it entirely. Manufacturers were to withdrawal all ranitidine products and retailers to pull it from the shelves.
The FDA news release also stated that the longer Ranitidine is stored, the higher the levels of NDMA can be found. Essentially, the aging of the drug can make it more toxic.
Zantac makers failed to notify patients of the cancer risks
Galindo Law stands strong in holding the drug makers accountable for allegedly concealing that Zantac (Ranitidine) was/is linked to cancer, and for putting profit before people. Since the 1980s, numerous studies have demonstrated a link between the NDMA in Zantac and cancer. Mounting evidence also allegedly shows that Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the big pharma companies that make Zantac (ranitidine), concealed the Zantac cancer link from millions of people who took the drug. This deception came as the companies made unprecedented profits from Zantac, the first drug to generate $1 billion in sales.
Family members who have passed away or developed certain cancers from the use of ranitidine medications like Zantac may have viable legal claims.