On April 1, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration made an announcement that all manufacturers of Zantac and the generic forms of Zantac are to withdraw their products from the market effective immediately.
During their investigation, the Food and Drug Administration found that the NDMA in some Zantac drugs “increases over time when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels…”
This is big news considering the drug companies that manufacture Zantac have downplayed the cancer risks of using Zantac/Ranitidine.
What Were the First Reports of the Zantac Cancer Link?
Valisure, an online pharmacy, first reported they found NDMA in Zantac/Ranitidine in June of 2019 and just recently petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to withdraw Zantac from the marketplace.
Because Valisure is more than just a pharmacy, it’s an International Standards Organization (ISO) 17025 accredited laboratory, warned the Food and Drug Administration, they took it seriously
The Food and Drug Administration calls Valisure’s ISO 17025 accreditation, “one of the most important standards for calibration and testing laboratories.”
What is NDMA?
The main cancer risk in Zantac/Ranitidine is NDMA, which is a known carcinogen.
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a water-soluble organic chemical that is part of the nitrate group. This fact is central to the Zantac cancer connection.
NDMA is basically a yellow liquid with little to no obvious smell or taste. At one time, it was used to make rocket fuel, but today it is only used for research purposes.
However, it can be produced as a byproduct of the manufacturing process. You can be exposed to NDMA in small amounts through the use of tobacco, shampoos, pesticides, cleansers, and such foods as cured meat, fish, cheese, and beer.
How Does NDMA Cause Cancer?
Cancer is caused by chronic exposure to a carcinogen, which repeatedly does damage to your DNA. Your body can’t fully repair this damage, and it leads to genetic mutations.
The NDMA cancer mechanism has undergone extensive studies. When NDMA enters your body, your own defense system becomes activated. This “army” is sent to destroy any invader and consists, in part, of a family of enzymes/proteins known as P450, which battles the foreign substance through complex chemical reactions.
As a result of this battle, the organic compound methyldiazonium (MI) can be formed. MI is referred to as the “ultimate carcinogen.” This means that it interacts with your cellular DNA to start carcinogenesis. MI achieves this through a process known as DNA methylation.
DNA methylation is a normal process that affects the activation or suppression of genetic instructions to make a product, normally a protein. Abnormal methylation, which can be caused by the addition of NDMA, can lead to you getting cancer.
How Does Zantac/Ranitidine Make NDMA?
With Zantac, the source of the NDMA may be extremely dangerous and problematic. According to Food and Drug Administration recommended protocols, Valisure conducted testing that found levels of NDMA as high as 3,267,968 nanograms (ng) per tablet.
To put this in perspective, the Food and Drug Administration has set the acceptable daily intake of NDMA at 96 ng. Additionally, the nitrites and acidic conditions in a person’s stomach appear to be ideal for creating NDMA from Zantac.
What Kinds of Cancer Can Zantac Cause?
The Jeffcoat Firm has clients who have been diagnosed with the following types of cancer after taking Zantac/Ranitidine:
- Bladder Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
If you aren’t sure you qualify to file a Zantac lawsuit, give us a call, and we will review your individual case for free.
Does Zantac/Ranitidine Have Side Effects?
Yes. In adults, some of the most common side effects of taking Zantac/Ranitidine include but aren’t limited to:
- Atrioventricular Block
- Blurred Vision
- Bradycardia
- Cholestatic Hepatitis
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Extreme Fatigue
- Headaches
- Hepatitis
- Infection
- Infectious Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Jaundice
- Liver Failure
- Pneumonia
- Premature Ventricular Beats
- Rashes
- Tachycardia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Unusual Bruising/Bleeding
- Vertigo
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Additionally, in elderly patients who are extremely sick, the side effects can include:
- Agitation
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Mental Confusion
In children, the side effects may include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Vomiting
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac over some time, the Zantac attorneys at The Jeffcoat Firm are here to help you. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so we can evaluate your case and advise you of your next steps. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
