In an announcement by the FDA in September of 2019, the Food & Drug Administration warned that ranitidine medicines including Zantac contained NDMA which is a probable human carcinogen. Six months later in April of 2020, the FDA asked that all ranitidine medications (including Zantac) be taken off of the market.
We humans have a long history of medications, foods, and devices that have come and gone, and this is largely due to the harm that they were found to have caused. And though extensive testing is often performed on medications, foods, birth control, cosmetics, and the like, unfortunately, these products are often not removed or recalled until they’ve caused irreversible damage.
Heartburn and acid reflux sufferers often long for relief of their painful symptoms. But it should go without saying that nobody wants to trade in temporary relief for potentially fatal cancer.
In the following, we’ll explore the nature of carcinogenic compounds in Zantac and why you should avoid using it.
The Danger of NDMA
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is often a byproduct of industrial processes. Additionally, this is also an ingredient found in many pesticides. As such, it has been labeled by the FDA as a possible human carcinogen which if it enters into the body at high enough levels, certain cancers can form.
But NDMA has been in the news before. In fact, in 2018, the FDA warned that this ingredient should also be removed from specific blood pressure medications.
As a byproduct component in ranitidine medicines, NDMA doesn’t help to reduce the production of stomach acid which is the responsible cause of heartburn and acid reflux. Instead, NDMA is formed when ranitidine breaks down. Another example of this is when a component of rocket fuel breaks down, it can also produce NDMA.
However, as some patients suffer from chronic heartburn or acid reflux, many of these patients take Zantac and other ranitidine medicines at a much higher rate. And this is cause for concern because, as mentioned, high levels of NDMA can cause cancer in animals and humans.
Zantac Lawsuits
Studies held as far back as the 1980s have shown the link between NDMA and cancer. But these studies were overlooked in lieu of other H2 blocker medications which seemed to show a higher rate of cancer formation.
Regardless of studies held over 40 years ago, Zantac lawsuits have been common across the United States in just the last couple of years as of 2022. For example, in Florida alone, over 500 Federal lawsuits have been filed due to complications arising from Zantac use.
A few complications arising from Zantac use include the following:
- Stomach cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Colon cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Intestinal Cancer
- Throat cancer
If you or someone you know has developed complications due to previous use of Zantac, you should contact Rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com for a consultation and begin the process of filing a lawsuit.
Alternatives for Combating Heartburn and Acid Reflux
If you’re a chronic sufferer of heartburn or acid reflux, you should begin by talking with your doctor about possible alternatives to using Zantac for relief. In fact, there are a large number of medications deemed safer by the FDA that can be used to combat heartburn and acid reflux.
Correspondingly, you should also consider the following lifestyle changes in order to mitigate the occurrence of heartburn and acid reflux:
Eating Habits
Heartburn and stomach acid production is often related to the type of foods you eat, and your eating/sleeping schedule as well. For example, those who often eat heavy meals shortly before going to bed are much more likely to wake up with heartburn.
Additionally, avoiding foods high in acid or spicy foods can also reduce heartburn as well. And even though these foods might be tasty, it’s best to avoid them in large amounts if you’re prone to developing heartburn or acid reflux.
Lifestyle
In addition to your diet, the activities you engage in may also promote heartburn or acid reflux as well. And this includes alcohol and nicotine consumption.
In addition, those who live a more sedentary lifestyle may also find that they develop heartburn or acid reflux more frequently. If this is the case, adjusting your lifestyle to include more exercise and activity may also help with your digestion.
Having heartburn is no fun. But along this same line, you don’t want to end up with cancer while trying to relieve heartburn either. As such, consult your doctor for alternative solutions and educate yourself on the dangers of supposed heartburn or acid reflux relief medications prior to taking them.
