On April 1st, 2020, the FDA announced the removal of all over the counter and prescription drugs that contain Ranitidine. This mainly includes the heartburn medication, Zantac. The FDA has found that NDMA is a probable human carcinogen and may be very harmful to humans.  Studies found that with a rise of temperature it raises the levels of impurity within the drug. The FDA states, “We didn’t observe unacceptable levels of NDMA in many of the samples that we tested. However, since we don’t know how or for how long the product might have been stored, we decided that it should not be available to consumers and patients unless its quality can be assured,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D.” Because of this, the FDA requests immediate removal of Zantac from stores.

Stop Taking the Drug

The FDA has sent out requests to every manufacturer of ranitidine products to be removed from their merchandise. Also, they have also told consumers who have previously bought any to stop taking them. They are telling consumers to stop taking any more and to dispose of them properly. This includes any prescribed ranitidine products including Zantac. If you were prescribed Zantac, we recommend you speak to your health care professionals about alternative medications. Additionally, You should not stop taking the drug without talking to your doctor first. You might put yourself n danger.

Zantac has been under investigation to prove it is harmful to people for several years now. NDMA is listed and found as a probable carcinogen to humans. NDMA has been linked to the development of certain cancers in people including liver, stomach, prostate, small intestine, and even pancreatic cancers. In November of 2019, the FDA posted a laboratory analysis of the traces of NDMA impurities in ranitidine. Many people have filed petitions with the FDA to stop the production of the drug. Additionally, there have also been lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for the side effects of the drug.

Disposing of the Drug

Currently, we are in a mandatory quarantine because of COVID-19. The FDA states that people that currently use it do not return the product to the drug take-back location. But to follow the disposal instructions located on the product’s packaging. Furthermore, the FDA also recommends these steps for the disposal of unused medicine if you or a loved one took the medicine.

I Have Suffered from the Drug, what do I do next?

Have you previously taken Zantac or any other ranitidine product? Have you developed any specific type of cancer? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you should look into the next step. Now that the FDA requests immediate removal of Zantac from stores, the next step is to find a lawyer who is trustworthy and experienced in dangerous drug mass tort cases. Now that the drug has been recalled, it is important you contact a law professional as soon as possible. When looking for someone to represent you, you want to make sure they have history dealing with dangerous drug claims and were successful. Click here for more information on what to do next. Also, if you are looking for more information about how mass torts work, follow this link for more information.