In April 2020, all manufacturers of Zantac were asked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to withdraw the drug, with the authority citing the reason that the medication might contain N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) beyond the acceptable level.
According to different researches, NDMA is a dangerous chemical that may cause cancer in people even if they are not at any viable risk for developing cancer. Scientists are still doing more researches to find out a definite answer if NDMA in Zantac increases cancer risk.
Some studies in the 80s dropped a hint about an intimate link between Zantac and NDMA formation in the body.
How Zantac Can Cause Cancer
NDMA is the main component of Zantac formulation. It has been found that the chemical causes cancer in both human beings and other animals.
Zantac has a unique relationship with NDMA. According to the FDA findings, of all the drugs known to have NDMA contamination, ranitidine is the only medication in which carcinogen level increases over time from its manufacturing date to the date of its intake.
The issue first came to the FDA’s attention, thanks to an online pharmacy namely Valisure, in June, 2019. The pharmacy filed a citizen’s petition in September, in which it requested the FDA to withdraw all ranitidine products.
According to the pharmacy’s research-based finding, ranitidine could produce a very high level of NDMA. The drug contains dimethylamine (“DMA”) and a nitrite, chemicals. They combine and form NDMA in the body.
Studies done by Stanford University and other academic institutes confirmed that NDMA level in Zantac is far above 96 ng, which is the current acceptable limit, set by FDA.
What are the Chances of Developing Cancer?
So far, there are not plenty of evidences to confirm that NDMA in Zantac causes cancer. Furthermore, scientists have not been able to discover an absolute risk value.
Not all studies suggest that ranitidine poses a higher risk compared to other medications. In fact, the risk of cancer with ranitidine was found to be much lower than with famotidine, which is an H2 blocker without NDMA contamination.
What Types of Cancer Are Zantac Users Diagnosed with?
NDA in Zantac can cause different types of cancers. The researches related to the topic are still in their embryonic stage and scientists are yet to come up with solid evidences that can confirm that the drug can cause any type of cancer. However, it is important to note researchers have not dismissed that the medication has carcinoma causing potentials.
Most common cancers found to have caused by Zantac include:
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- melanoma
The lawyers, who deal with Zantac cases, claim that many people have got cancer after taking the drug even though they had no genetic marker for cancer or family history of cancer. According to the physicians, in such cases, cancers have been formed due to environmental element.
Get legal help for cancer caused by Zantac if you or any of your loved ones has got cancer after use of the drug.
