Zantac Recall Update: FDA Pulls Ranitidine Antacid From the Markets

Zantac is well known as an over the counter drug used by Americans for years to combat the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. It’s main ingredient, ranitidine, helps reduce stomach acid when taken.

Back in October of 2019, the FDA issued a recall on Zantac and other general ranitidine antacids. The FDA had found “unacceptable” amounts of a known carcinogen called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (“NDMA”) in Zantac’s ranitidine. 

While stores like CVS pulled Zantac from its shelves, the FDA did not ask stores to stop selling Zantac last. That has now changed.

FDA orders stores to stop selling Zantac immediately

On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) ordered that manufacturers pull all ranitidine prescriptions and over the counter ranitidine drugs, including Zantac, from the U.S. market immediately.

This new FDA order is in response to a current and ongoing investigation. The FDA discovered that the levels of NDMA contamination in the heartburn medications increase over time when stored at higher than normal temperatures.

This finding poses a risk to the general public.

What is NDMA?

NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine) is a known human carcinogen.

No one disputes that NDMA causes cancer. NDMA has been recognized as a human carcinogen since the 1970s by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

According to the CDC, NDMA is an unstable chemical byproduct unintentionally created at many industrial sites. You’ve likely been exposed to NDMA many times in very small quantities, such as when smoking a cigarette or eating a piece of bacon. 

However, in larger doses, NDMA is very toxic to the human body (especially to the liver). According to the FDA, the amount of NDMA found in Zantac far exceeded the amount you should ingest on a daily basis.  

What type of cancer does Zantac cause?

If you took Zantac or generic Zantac regularly for more than a year, you are at risk for developing many types of cancer, including but not limited to: 

• Liver cancer 
• Stomach cancer 
• Colorectal cancer
• Intestinal cancer 
• Bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Ovarian cancer

If you still take Zantac, the FDA says to stop taking the medication until further notice.  Please consult with your doctor to discuss other antacid options available to you.

Diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac? We’re here for you

Our attorneys at Shannon Law Group are investigating Zantac and its dangerous side effects. We are here to help anyone affected by this drug.  Contact us today for a free consultation.