FDA: Heartburn Medication Zantac Should No Longer Be Sold

Heartburn is a common problem in America. We love greasy foods with onions and garlic. We drink coffee by the ton, and we supersize everything. We consume a lot of antacids, but for some people, antacids are not enough.

Zantac, also known as Ranitidine, is a medication that has been given to people with serious gut problems such as peptic ulcers. It has been used to treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition where acid from the stomach enters the esophagus. It is a B2 inhibitor that reduces stomach pain and gas. Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants it taken off of drug store shelves because it may cause cancer.

In late March of 2020, the FDA stated that it found that when Zantac is stored for long periods of time and when it is exposed to heat, it produces a carcinogen. The FDA also urged people to get rid of the drug if they had it at home.

How Does Zantac Cause Cancer?

The FDA found the contaminant  N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, in the drug. In the past, NDMA had been found in cured meats and various food products.

The online drug company Valisure discovered the problem when they were doing a standard quality test on Zantac in the spring of 2019. They discovered that when Zantac was exposed to heat, the ranitidine molecule would break down and it would form NDMA. The breakdown can happen if the drug is stored for long periods or exposed to heat that is higher than room temperature. It was discovered that Zantac contained 26,000 the amount of the acceptable level of NDMA.

When Did the Manufacturer Know about the Findings?

Sanofi manufactured the drug Zantac and recalled the product in October of 2019. A recent class-action lawsuit charges that the manufacturer concealed the risks of taking the drug from its users. The lawsuit was filed in September of 2019, one month before the recall.

People who took Zantac before the recall often took it every day. Because of the high levels of NDMA, it is not considered safe for long-term use. The drug is offered in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. It was the first drug to ever net USD$1 billion in sales.

Scientists have known about the danger of NDMA for over 40 years. There had been many studies over the years establishing that ranitidine forms NDMA when placed in water. Sanofi did not make the public aware of these studies.

Individuals who have been exposed to NDMA may get cancer of the liver, bladder, or kidneys. There is not enough scientific proof of this in humans, but tests on laboratory animals have shown that tumors may develop in the liver when there has been long-term exposure to the drug.

What to Do if You Took Zantac

If you took Zantac, you may want to talk to a personal injury attorney about possible litigation. It has been well established that Zantac causes cancer and no drug company should get away with selling an unsafe product. Unfortunately, litigation is often the best way to let drug companies know that there are financial consequences to their actions.