If you have been taking the popular acid reducer Zantac, as well as any other generic heartburn or acid reflux medication that uses ranitidine, it is important that you are aware of the problems surrounding the compound, the steps that the FDA have taken to improve consumer safety and protections around this medicine, and how you may be affected. If you have suffered any injuries or harm as a result of your own Zantac usage, Balkin Law Group is available to provide you with an experienced, trustworthy attorney who can help you make sense of your options as soon as possible.
Read more below about the problems with Zantac and ranitidine, and specifically the potentially dangerous chemical NDMA (N-Nitroso-dimethylamine) that is causing concern in the medical industry. NDMA is a nitrosamine impurity and is labeled as a human carcinogen because it may cause cancer due to exposure. Fortunately, the levels of NDMA in the medications in question are low, meaning that the risk of cancer or other complications due to the carcinogen are lower than amounts that are serious cause for alarm, but you still should expect that you can take a popular and widely-available medication without fear of being exposed to a known carcinogen.
Contact us now for a free initial consultation, and connect with an attorney who is equipped and prepared to help you navigate the complicated legal process around settlements and lawsuits for anything related to your NDMA exposure and the impacts on your life.
Is There a Zantac Recall?
The United States Food and Drug Administration had been alerting consumers of a voluntary recall of the drug Zantac by pharmaceutical company Glenmark Pharmaceutical, Inc. The company initiated the recall on their 150 mg and 300 mg tablets because they may contain unacceptable levels of N-nitroso-dimethylamine, as mentioned above, a known carcinogen. According to the FDA, people should avoid consuming any more than 96 nanograms per day, and released their own test results on a variety of medications relating to this recall.
What Is NDMA?
As mentioned above, NDMA, which is short for N-Nitroso-dimethylamine, is a “known environmental contaminant typically found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables,” according to the DFA, and is listed as a possible human carcinogen because of the risk of cancer due to exposure at higher doses as shown in lab testing. NDMA is found in natural and industrial processes alike, and the question of exposure and the risk of cancer is debated among major companies. Until late in 2019, Sandoz had decided not to recall any of their own medications that have possible NDMA contamination because of the exceptionally-low risk of an issue. They have since instituted their own recall.
What To Do If You Have Taken Ranitidine
If you have been prescribed a since-recalled medication that included ranitidine, you may be eligible to join in on a class-action lawsuit, and in certain instances may be able to file your own claim against the responsible defendant in your situation. As mentioned, the impacts of NDMA exposure in drugs like Zantac have not been proven to have any significant impacts on the people taking these medications, but it is important that you understand your options as a consumer if any issues were to arise.
Contact Balkin Law Group now to connect with an attorney who understands the legal process around class-action suits, and specifically about the issues with NDMA-contaminated Zantac and other ranitidine-containing generic medications. You may be able to work with an attorney to get the care and attention that you need and deserve after this unfortunate issue.
Contact Balkin Law Group Today
Whether you are certain of the next steps you will need to take, or simply would like to know more about your options, contact the team at Balkin Law Group today.