Zantac Claims

The FDA has recommended that the popular over-the-counter heartburn medication, Zantac, be pulled from shelves immediately – as storage of the medication may result in the production of a cancer-causing compound that could lead to the development of several types of cancer. If you or a loved one took Zantac over a period of time and subsequently developed cancer, contact an attorney from Altman & Altman LLP right away, as you may be eligible to file a claim and receive financial compensation.

Zantac has long been advertised as a safe means of controlling and managing heartburn – safe enough to be sold over-the-counter at pharmacies across the country. However, independent testing that has now been confirmed by the FDA has shown that storing Zantac at higher-than-normal temperatures can result in the production of high levels of Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is suspected of being a carcinogen by health experts. Voluntarily recalls of some Zantac products have already occurred as a result, and now the recall will be extended to all Zantac products across the country.

Is Zantac Dangerous?

Laboratory and FDA testing has shown that certain molecules within Zantac may break down in a user’s digestive tract once ingested – resulting in a harmful amount of NDMA to be produced through a chemical reaction. Due to how much of the NDMA can be produced from a single use of Zantac, this could potentially be a cause of concern for users of the drug – especially those who have used the drug over a long period of time.

NDMA exposure has been linked to various cancers, including: liver, small intestine, stomach, esophageal, colorectal and, in more limited capacities, prostate, pancreatic, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. According to the FDA, the safe amount of NDMA to be consumed in one day should not exceed 96 nanograms, however lab tests found that some over-the-counter Zantac formulas contain more than 3 million nanograms of NDMA per tablet.

The FDA had been hesitant to confirm these results in the past, claiming there was no evidence that normal ingestion of the product was cause for concern. But through their own investigation, the FDA found that improper storage could lead to a buildup of NDMA in the drug – and as a result they have decided to institute a full recall of the product.

Zantac may be Harmful, and Consumers Should Know The Risks

Many lawsuits and claims against Zantac manufacturers have come forward in the past couple years, many alleging that Zantac manufacturers failed to warn users of the potential risk of developing cancer through the use of their products. The ease of access to these drugs is another cause for concern, considering how common and widespread and reportedly safe they have been marketed as.

Lawsuits have alleged that drug manufacturers were aware of possible NDMA formulation resulting from ingestion of Zantac as far back as 1981. Despite this, production and sale of Zantac has persisted and increased throughout the decades since.

At Altman & Altman LLP, we believe that drug manufacturers should be held to an incredibly high standard of responsibility. The drugs they create have the potential to cause much pain and suffering, and often times may create potentially deadly side effects. When such side effects are found, it is essential that they properly communicate these risks to the people who may utilize the drug, so they can make a fully informed decision about their own health and choice of medication.

By failing to warn consumers about a possible cancer-causing compound that is created through using Zantac, drug manufacturers may be responsible for health complications that occur as a result of using their product. Altman & Altman LLP has over 50 years of experience taking on drug manufacturers who fail to ensure the health of their consumers, and advocating for their clients in Boston, Cambridge and throughout Massachusetts.

Contact us online or call for a free consultation to go over the details of your Zantac claim today at 617.492.3000 or toll-free at 800.481.6199. We are available 24/7.