The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning to those who take the over-the-counter heartburn drug Zantac on Sept. 13. They announced that the same carcinogen that identified in prescription blood pressure medications earlier this year was also found in Zantac pills.
FDA Issues a Warning: Zantac Found With Traces of Known Carcinogen
In their press release, the FDA outlined how both pills that carry the brand name Zantac and generic ones that don’t both were found to have traces of the known carcinogen nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The former is manufactured by the drug manufacturer Sanofi. The companies that produced the generic version of the over-the-counter drug referenced by the FDA in their statement haven’t yet been named.
NDMA is a carcinogen that’s often found in trace amounts in dairy and meat products. It’s unclear whether a significantly larger amount of it was found in the Zantac or ranitidine pills than would typically be found in food.
FDA Hasn’t Issued a Zantac Recall, Yet
So far, the FDA hasn’t gone as far as to issue a recall of this over-the-counter drug. They are gathering more data to see if that is necessary.
The FDA has warned any individuals who take Zantac to not stop taking the drug. They note that doing so could adversely impact a patient’s health. However, those injured by the drug likely have the option to file a Zantac lawsuit for financial compensation.
Cancer is a disease that rarely just appears. It often takes some time after an individual’s exposure to toxic substances to start developing adverse symptoms to get diagnosed. Proving that a link exists between a medication or drug that you took and your illness is even more difficult to do.
A pharmaceutical injury attorney can help you build evidence in your case and advise you of your chances of a successful result in your legal matter. Call the skilled personal injury lawyers with Reich & Binstock at 713-622-7271 to schedule your free case evaluation.