Last year, scientists discovered that a carcinogen contaminated one of the United States’ most popular heartburn drugs. Millions of people across the nation use Zantac regularly for conditions such as indigestion, ulcers, and other related stomach problems.
According to this devastating discovery, those same people are now vulnerable to the potential development of a long list of cancers. If you or someone you love has been regularly using Zantac and subsequently developed any of the cancers discussed here, you are entitled to compensation. Consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you receive the funds that are owed to you.
Scientists Discover Zantac Contamination
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently confirmed that the popular heartburn drug, Zantac, had been contaminated with a possible carcinogen, NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine). Zantac, also known by its generic name, ranitidine, was immediately ordered to be removed from drug stores to keep consumers safe from the potential hazards of using this drug. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done.
Those who had been taking Zantac before the FDA-issued recall had already been exposed to the health hazards presented by NDMA. This chemical had previously been proven to cause certain cancers in animals, especially at the levels found in the contaminated tablets. Though the FDA does allow a negligible amount of NDMA in food and water, the safety threshold had been far exceeded in the Zantac manufactured by Sanofi.
The maximum daily amount of NDMA that humans can safely consume is 96 nanograms (nm). However, upon testing, scientists discovered that there were astronomical levels of the carcinogen in individual tablets – over 47,000 nm per 150mg tablet.
The study that highlighted this contamination was published back in 2016, so we know that people who were taking Zantac at that time may have been exposed to similar concentrations of NDMA. Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that NDMA ingestion causes animals to develop brain cancer, alarms have been raised as to what conditions humans may develop after exposure.
Types of Cancers Caused by Zantac
There is no guarantee that Zantac will cause brain cancer, but available studies have shown that the NDMA contamination significantly raises consumers’ chances of developing such conditions. In addition to brain cancer, those using Zantac may also be at risk of developing the following:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Nasal or throat cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Lung cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
If you have been taking Zantac to treat your stomach and indigestion problems and later developed brain cancer or any of the conditions listed above, you may be eligible to take legal action against the manufacturers.
Contact a Zantac lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your diagnosis and its connection to your Zantac consumption to determine the amount of compensatory funds owed to you. Filing a claim against a large corporation such as Sanofi is challenging. With your Zantac lawyer by your side, you can rest assured that you will soon have the necessary funds to treat your cancer and restore your health.
