Massive Movement Across Medicinal Community Recalling Zantac

Sanofi, the maker of the popular over-the-counter and prescription heartburn medicine, Zantac, has begun voluntarily recalling their product. Other drug companies, like Novartis and Apotex, have also voluntarily recalled their versions of the drug. American national chains like CVS and Walgreens have already pulled Zantac and its generic versions from their shelves; the Canadian government has requested all manufacturers to cease distribution of the drug, and the French government has demanded a complete and total recall of it.

The swift actions are due to concerns over the product being contaminated by extremely high levels of a deadly carcinogen. This carcinogen, named “N-nitrosodimethylamine” (NDMA) is responsible for causing a variety of cancers. These cancers include, but are not necessarily limited to: kidney, bladder, colorectal, intestinal, liver, pancreatic and stomach. In addition to causing cancer, NDMA can also cause fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin. Furthermore, NDMA may sound familiar, because it was a leading impurity found in a litany of blood pressure and heart medicines that were recalled over the past year.

A class action lawsuit was filed in September of 2019 against several of these manufacturers alleging that they knowingly made and sold Zantac when they knew it was unsafe. Several studies showed that NDMA would form when Zantac was ingested and added to fluids, which resulted in a 400-times increase in NDMA. The makers of the drug had this evidence, and still sold the drug knowing it could be harmful to those taking it. They also failed to provide an adequate warning on the label of the product or through any other means.

The FDA has limited the permissible amount of NDMA per day at 96 nanograms. Recent testing under FDA methods detected over 2,500,00 nanograms of NDMA for each 150 mg tablet of Zantac. That’s over 26,000 times more NDMA than the FDA considers a safe level.

Although most frequently taken to prevent/treat heartburn, Zantac was also suggested and prescribed in treatments and prevention of ulcers in the stomach and intestines and gastroesophageal reflux disease and is extremely popular among those suffering from these ailments. If you, or someone you know, is currently taking Zantac or a generic version, you should immediately consult a medical expert.

O’Connor Law care deeply about the well-being of those afflicted by pharmaceutical malpractices like these. If you or someone you know has taken or is taking Zantac or another Histamine-2 blocker, and has dealt with complications, particularly cancerous, please contact us at 800-518-4529 or 800-518-4LAW, or visit our website, oconnorlaw.com. We can immediately set you up with a FREE consultation and work towards getting you the compensation you deserve!