Over the last year, testing by private laboratories indicated that prescription and over-the-counter Zantac could contain high levels of a carcinogenic chemical. Upon this discovery, many major pharmacies pulled Zantac and other ranitidine products from their shelves. Now, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formally asked the manufacturers to pull these drugs from the market. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally-recognized product liability attorneys want to discuss what this means for consumers in Florida and throughout the United States.
The Fda Has Weighed In On Zantac And Ranitidine Products
On April 1, 2020, the FDA announced that it was requesting manufacturers to take all prescription and over the counter ranitidine drugs off the market immediately. Ranitidine is manufactured in its generic form by many companies but is most popularly known by the brand name Zantac, manufactured by Sanofi.
We have written at length about the health risks posed by Zantac and other ranitidine products, particularly since third-party testing revealed high levels of a carcinogenic chemical called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was discovered in the various forms of prescription and OTC medications. The FDA has placed a daily safe limit of NDMA in humans as just 96 nanograms. However, some tests revealed there were as many as 2,500,000 nanograms of NDMA in a single dose of some Zantac and ranitidine products.
In their recall notice, The FDA said that “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.”
We need to be clear about this – the FDA does not issue recalls like this unless they feel there is a significant risk to consumers. Since information came out about high levels of NDMA, there have been many lawsuits against the manufacturers of Zantac and other ranitidine products. Many of these cases have since been consolidated to a single federal court.
Now that the FDA has asked that these products be removed from the market, it is clear that the testing and discovery of a cancer-causing carcinogen is cause for alarm. Now is the time for consumers who think that their illnesses are linked to taking Zantac or other ranitidine generics to contact a skilled attorney who can begin the work of securing compensation on their behalf.
Let Us Help Secure The Compensation You Need
If you or somebody you love has taken Zantac and have been diagnosed with cancer, you need to speak to a Zantac lawsuit attorney as soon as possible. These cases are moving forward in the United States, and the team at Colson Hicks Eidson is ready to help you secure the compensation you are entitled to. This could include:
- Cost of any medical bills related to Zantac or ranitidine illnesses
- Recovery of income lost if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against any manufacturer of ranitidine
If you need a product liability attorney in Florida or anywhere throughout the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
