Zantac and other ranitidine products have been under close scrutiny since last year after testing found high levels of a carcinogen known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)inside the medications. Many pharmacies and other retailers stopped selling prescription Zantac and over-the-counter ranitidine products. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked manufacturers of Zantac and generic equivalents to immediately take all of these medications off the market.
What can patients do now?
The FDA has listed several alternative drugs that are used to treat heartburn and related conditions. Please understand that any changes in the medication you make should occur with the guidance in a direction from your primary care physician. Speak to your doctor before taking any medication decisions.
Proton pump inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of prescription drugs that work by blocking the secretion of acid into the stomach by specific enzymes. PPIs are commonly used as Zantac alternatives, and they have been known to be more effective than other types of medications for heartburn. The FDA lists three PPIs as alternatives to ranitidine:
- Omeprazole (brand name Prilosec)
- Esomeprazole (brand name Nexium)
- Lansoprazole (brand name Prevacid)
Other H2 histamine receptor antagonists
Ranitidine is considered an H2 histamine receptive antagonist that works by blocking histamine from activating in the stomach lining cells that create and secrete stomach acid. Thankfully, NDMA contamination has only appeared in ranitidine and nizatidine products, and there are two other H2 histamine receptor antagonists that the FDA lists as options for alternatives:
- Cimetidine (brand name Tagamet)
- Famotidine (brand name Pepcid)
Consult with a physician
Regardless of whether or not the FDA recommends alternative treatment plans, any classes of drugs must be taken under physician advisements for appropriate dosages and duration of treatment. The use of any Zantac alternatives should also be paired with lifestyle modifications as recommended by a physician to reduce exasperation of certain stomach acid conditions. Long-term inappropriate use of either proton pump inhibitors or H2 histamine receptor antagonists can increase the risk of adverse effects for patients.
Do you need an attorney for your case?
Lawsuits related to Zantac and cancer had been filed all across the United States. The award-winning team at Colson Hicks Eidson is currently taking these cases. We have the resources necessary to conduct full investigations into your history of taking Zantac and your cancer. Let us work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to, including coverage of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more. Our Zantac recall attorneys are taking cases throughout Florida and the entire United States. The federally filed Zantac cases have been consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) Based in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. These cases will join defective drug liability cases from all over the United States against various makers and distributors of Zantac, including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sanofi. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
