A frequently-used drug that treats stomach problems has been linked to cancer. As a result, many people who took Zantac long-term and have cancer are now taking legal action against the manufacturer.
Zantac is the brand name for ranitidine. The medication is sold over-the-counter and prescribed by doctors. Prolonged use of the drug is linked to a higher risk of stomach cancer due to the cancer-causing impurity it contains.
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration recalled Zantac after researchers found unacceptably high levels of a carcinogenic impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
The online pharmacy Valisure was the organization that alerted US health regulators after discovering the drug produced high levels of NDMA when stored in higher temperatures. This means the drug will produce NDMA while it's digested in the stomach.
Millions of Americans have taken Zantac, and it has gone from having a low safety profile to becoming the subject of thousands of lawsuits due to the discovery of NDMA.
What Is Ranitidine?
Ranitidine is an over-the-counter medication taken for:
● Heartburn
● Acid reflux
● Peptic ulcer disease
● Hives
It is administered orally or via injection into a vein or a muscle.
Pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim sell the drug in the US. This medication has been on the market since 1981. In 2018, doctors wrote over 18 million prescriptions for ranitidine. It was the 41st most commonly prescribed medication in the US that year.
Common Side Effects of Ranitidine?
When ranitidine is given by injection, some complain of:
● Headaches
● Pain
● Burning sensation
● Sleep problems
● Diarrhea
● Constipation
● Dizziness
More serious side effects can include:
● Pneumonia
● Slow heart rate
● Clostridium difficile
● Cancer
Which Zantac Products Contain Ranitidine?
The following Zantac products have been recalled due to their content of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
● Acid Control
● Acid Reducer
● Heartburn Relief
● Wal-Zan 75
● Wal-Zan 150
● Zantac 75 Tablets
● Zantac 150 Maximum Strength Cool Mint
● Zantac 150 Tablets
● Zantac 150 Maximum Strength
What Is N-nitrosodimethylamine?
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is the impurity found in ranitidine. It is an H2 blocker, which means it works on the H2 receptors in the stomach to suppress acid. This pushes the PH level of the stomach up which leads to more bacteria growth.
When there is more gut bacteria it can cause nitrites which interact with chemicals called amines to produce nitrosamines. NDMA levels increase when it is stored at and above room temperature. Nitrosamines are linked with cancer, which is why NDMA is linked to Ranitidine.
Researchers have found that repeated exposure to a daily dose of NDMA increases the risk of cancer. But, this is not conclusive as other studies have found that NDMA doesn't increase cancer risks. (1)
NDMA levels increase when it is stored at and above room temperature. So scientists at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York conducted a study on the digestion of ranitidine. (2) By simulating a stomach with gastric fluid and combining it with various Zantac products, the scientists were able to prove that when ingested, ranitidine does produce high levels of NDMA.
Alternatives To Ranitidine
Instead of taking 150mg of ranitidine, you can instead take:
● 400mg of cimetidine
● 20mg of famotidine
● 150mg of nizatidine
Disposal of Zantac
As ranitidine is linked to cancer you want to ensure that you dispose of it responsibly. You don't want to risk taking this medication again if you're suffering with stomach problems. You can either:
● Drop it off at a drug take-back
● Check the DEA website to see if it is on the flush list. If it is simply flush it down the toilet
● If it's not on the flush list, you can pop it in the trash
FDA Announcement
In September 2019, the FDA announced a voluntary recall of Zantac products in the US saying they may contain NDMA.
In April 2020, the FDA then announced the removal of all Zantac products from pharmacy shelves.
Zantac Lawsuits
A class-action lawsuit was filed in September 2019 against the makers of Zantac Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi, the same time that the FDA announced the voluntary recall.
The lawsuit was filed on the basis that the drug contains 26,000 times the legal limit of NDMA. The FDA permits a daily amount of 95ng, but laboratory testing of the pills showed that a 150mg pill contains 2,500,000 ng of NDMA.
Customer protection laws rule that pharmaceutical companies must provide warnings on packaging if a drug contains anything harmful. The lawsuit argues that the Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi marketed the drug as safe when they were aware that it contained NDMA.
Compensation Settlements
People who took Zantac and got stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer or bladder cancer joined the class-action lawsuit to claim compensation.
Settlement damages include:
● Medical expenses
● Pain and suffering (physical and mental)
● Wage loss
● Loss of earning capacity
● Loss of life quality
● Punitive damages
Thousands of lawsuits are expected over the next few years from people who have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac long-term for stomach problems.
According to South Florida personal injury attorney and Zantac lawsuit lawyer Matt Dolman, more than 200 people in south Florida alone have joined the district litigation (MDL). His firm, Sibley Dolman Gipe Accident Injury Lawyers, is also helping victims of this carcinogenic drug outside of Florida, working with a network of leading attorneys across the United States.
No one should have to suffer due to corporate greed. The company was aware of the NDMA content of the drug, but the money they would lose on not being able to sell it led them to behave deceptively.
Zantac was the first drug to sell $1 billion worth of sales. If they're barred from selling the drug they'll be missing out on billions of dollars.
But, as the lawsuits gather momentum, it looks as though Sanofi and Boehringer Ingleheim look set to lose billions for deceiving millions of people.
If you've received a cancer diagnosis and have used Zantac you can find out if you are eligible for a Zantac settlement here.
Studies
(1) Risk of Cancer Following the Use of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Contaminated Ranitidine Products: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea
(2) Analysis of Ranitidine-Associated N-Nitrosodimethylamine Production Under Simulated Physiologic Conditions
