Consumers should be able to take medications they have purchased over-the-counter at drugstores and medications that have been prescribed by their healthcare providers without worrying about those drugs being dangerous. However, dangerous drugs are recalled more often than you might think for various reasons.
Medications can have defects that can pose serious risks to consumers. In recent months, the drug Zantac and ranitidine, the generic version of this medication, have been subject to recalls in the U.S. and across the globe.
I want to tell you more about the Zantac recall, and to encourage you to get in touch with me as soon as possible if you were diagnosed with cancer after using ranitidine. The following are five things you should know about the Zantac recall.
- Zantac and its Generic Ranitidine Have Been Recalled Due to Contamination by NDMA
Since last year, Zantac and various generic forms of the medication (containing the drug ranitidine) have been recalled due to the possibility of contamination with something known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
While the FDA only originally reported that some ranitidine products had only low levels of NDMA, an April 1 press release from the FDA indicated that it was requesting the removal of all ranitidine products from the market due to the hazards posed by the drug.
- NDMA Has Been Described as a Probable Human Carcinogen
NDMA has been described as a “probable human carcinogen,” and had been described as such even when drugmakers kept their ranitidine products on the market.
- NDMA Has Been Linked to Different Types of Cancer
NDMA has been linked to many different types of cancer, and some Zantac and generic ranitidine users have filed claims against drugmakers, alleging that the NDMA caused the cancer. NDMA exposure has been linked to stomach cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, intestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, and kidney cancer.
- NDMA Levels Increase in Ranitidine Products During Normal Storage Conditions
According to the FDA’s recent press release, when Zantac and generic ranitidine products are “stored at higher temperatures, including temperatures the product may be exposed to during distribution and handling by customers,” the amount of NDMA increases. The FDA also reported that, even under “normal storage conditions,” levels of NDMA can rise, putting consumers at risk of developing cancer.
- Injured Consumers May Be Able to Seek Compensation
Many consumers have taken Zantac or a generic ranitidine to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, and other conditions. However, consumers who trusted this product ultimately have alleged that it caused their cancer.
Any consumer who was diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac or a generic ranitidine product may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Depending upon the case, it may be possible to join a class action claim. I can tell you more about options for filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation.
Contact a Columbus Injury Attorney for Help
Dangerous drugs appear on retail shelves much too often, and hazardous medications get approved as prescription drugs that consumers pick up from their local pharmacies. Whether it is an over-the-counter drug or a prescription medication, you deserve to feel safe taking a drug you purchased from a reputable pharmacy.
If you were injured by a dangerous drug, I want to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Big drug companies have deep pockets, and I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office today at 877.614.9524 to learn more about your options for filing a claim.
