The popular heartburn medication Zantac has been in the news plenty over the last few weeks. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered that all prescription Zantac and over-the-counter ranitidine products be withdrawn from the market due to the drug potentially containing a cancer-causing carcinogen. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our award-winning product liability team is dedicated to helping anyone harmed by Zantac in Florida or throughout the United States recover the compensation they deserve. Here, we want to discuss how the military is handling this medication.
Military health officials respond to Zantac recall
The FDA sent a notice on April 1, 2020, that all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products should be taken off the shelves. This includes the most popular ranitidine medication, Zantac.
Zantac is used to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, and other conditions. However, according to the FDA, an impurity in Zantac called N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, has been found in many of these products. In their release, the FDA says that NDMA levels increase over time and when the medication is stored at higher than room temperatures.
Now, Defense Health Agency officials have advised military beneficiaries who take Zantac to talk to their doctors and switch prescriptions. Military health officials are asking that anyone who has Zantac or other ranitidine products to properly dispose of the medications.
NDMA is a cancer-causing carcinogen
Several agencies have labeled NDMA as a probable carcinogen, and they have linked the use of ranitidine products to various types of cancer. This includes the following:
- kidneys
- bladder
- esophageal
- prostate
- stomach
- colon
- intestines
- leukemia
- multiple myeloma
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Approximately 60 million people suffer from heartburn throughout the United States, and there are more than 15prescriptions written every year for Zantac. This number does not include over-the-counter uses of the medication or other ranitidine products.
Many lawsuits have already been filed against manufacturers of ranitidine. Some of the defendants in these cases include:
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
- GlaxoSmithKline LLC
- Pfizer Inc.
If any manufacturer of Zantac or the generic versions of these medications knew about the potential dangers of these drugs, but failed to warn consumers, they may be held liable for any damages or losses incurred by victims.
We are ready to help your case
If you or somebody you love has been diagnosed with cancer and has been using Zantac, seek legal assistance immediately. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally recognized firm has vast experience handling bad medication cases. Our goal is to investigate what happened and work to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This can include:
- Coverage of medical expenses related to taking Zantac
- Lost income and benefits if a victim cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Punitive damages against the medication company or manufacturer
If you need a Zantac cancer attorney In Florida or throughout the United States, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
