A Zantac cancer recall led to a wave of lawsuits by people who claim they were not warned about the potential heartburn and stomach problems that could arise. Some are alleging Zantac caused their cancer, while others say it simply didn’t help them. The FDA has been deliberating on whether or not to investigate this case further, but at what cost?
Zantac is a medication that helps people who have heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The drug has been recalled because it can cause cancer. A lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer of Zantac, Pfizer Inc., for not properly warning consumers about this risk.
Medication for Heartburn Comes in a Variety of Forms
Because gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often known as heartburn, is so common in the United States, there are a variety of heartburn medications available to treat it.
H2 receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), both of which are available by prescription and over-the-counter, are the two most prevalent kinds of heartburn medicine.
What Are the Consequences of Taking Heartburn Medicine?
The most often prescribed heartburn medicines in the United States have been linked to significant side effects, including severe renal issues and different kinds of cancer.
The medical community has recently expressed worry about the adverse effects of heartburn medicines, since these popular treatments have the potential to cause persistent health problems in patients.
Rhabdomyolysis, a musculoskeletal condition, is one of the adverse effects of heartburn medications. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which muscle tissue quickly degrades and the hazardous protein myoglobin is released into the circulation.
This disease may lead to renal damage or possibly complete kidney failure if not addressed quickly.
Patients who use Nexium and Prilosec have a 28 percent greater chance of getting chronic kidney disease than those who take other heartburn medicines, according to a new research published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
When compared to H2 receptor blockers, this research discovered a startling 96 percent higher risk of kidney failure.
Patients using Nexium and Prilosec had a greater chance of having weak and brittle bone density, which may lead to osteoporosis as a side effect.
According to a new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, other adverse effects of heartburn medications may include intestinal infection.
Long-term usage of heartburn medication has been linked to an increased risk of cancer of different kinds.
Appco Pharma and Northwind Pharmaceuticals, two generic heartburn medication firms, have just recalled their ranitidine tablets, according to Wired, due to fears that they may contain carcinogenic substances.
Read more: The Dangers of Over-the-Counter Heartburn Medicine
What exactly is Zantac?
Peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may all be treated with Zantac, a heartburn medicine that lowers stomach acid levels (excess acid caused by tumors).
It may also be helpful in treating hives, according to research published in 2012. (urticaria).
Zantac is a medication that may be either orally or injected into muscle tissue or a vein. Zantac belongs to the histamine (H2) blocker family of antacids, which inhibit the activity of a naturally occurring chemical involved in localized immunological responses (such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes) as well as digestion process control.
According to ClinCalc.com, ranitidine is the 50th most frequently prescribed medication in the United States, with about 15 million prescriptions issued each year.
What exactly is NDMA?
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a carcinogen that is likely to cause cancer. It’s an industrial waste product that’s yellowish in color and has an unique odor.
It’s a prevalent environmental pollutant found in cured foods and tobacco smoke. This chemical has also been utilized as a stabilizer in industrial lubricants and as a component of rocket and jet fuel.
In 2018, NDMA contamination was found in a number of ARB blockers, such as Valsartan, which are used to treat high blood pressure.
The contamination was ultimately traced back to a facility in China, where modifications in the production process resulted in a chemical reaction that produced NDMA.
It is unknown how NDMA became contaminated with Zantac.
On September 19, 2019, Novartis stated that it will no longer distribute generic Zantac.
Read more: A Man Claims NDMA Levels in Zantac Caused Bladder Cancer
Does Zantac, a heartburn medication, cause cancer?
According to Stanford University researcher Dr. William Mitch, NDMA acts like a cancer-causing toxin “because it changes your DNA.”
Mitch is a member of a Stanford study team that discovered a connection between individuals who use Zantac and high levels of NDMA. The current hypothesis is that people have enzymes that produce NDMA in response to Zantac.
The FDA has issued a recall for a heartburn medication.
The FDA ordered that all Zantac heartburn medicine be removed from the market immediately on April 1st, 2020.
The FDA determined that the amount of NDMA in ranitidine medicines rises to dangerous levels that consumers should not be exposed to after an ongoing study into the presence of NDMA in the heartburn treatment.
Those who are using the over-the-counter version should also consider utilizing alternative medicines that have been authorized for their illnesses or making lifestyle changes that may help alleviate the symptoms of GERD and other gastrointestinal disorders, according to the federal agency.
In addition to the FDA, drug regulators in other nations have started recalling the popular heartburn medication.
On September 20, 2019, the Italian Drug Agency stated that all versions of Zantac containing the active component manufactured by Saraca Laboratories Ltd. in India were being recalled. Other Zantac products have also been prohibited by the Italian government until testing are carried out to determine whether other versions are similarly tainted.
Read more: FDA Requests Zantac Recall in Its Entirety
Have there been any Zantac cancer lawsuits filed?
On the same day that the FDA issued its safety warning, the first Zantac lawsuit was filed in California against manufacturer Sanofi.
A man who developed breast cancer, a relatively uncommon form of the illness in males, after using Zantac for nine years has filed a second case in Florida.
Plaintiffs claim that the pharmaceutical had a responsibility to be aware of the risk of contamination and to alert the medical community.
Researchers have discovered that when ranitidine comes into contact with water, it may cause a chemical reaction that results in the production of NDMA, according to a vast body of studies published over the last decade.
Despite the fact that this data was publicly accessible, the defendants allegedly did not provide any cautions to consumers or their physicians, according to the complaints.
New Zantac and Bladder Cancer Lawsuits Have Been Filed
What are the Settlement Amounts for the Zantac Lawsuit?
The Zantac cases against Sanofi are still in the early stages of development, with settlements anticipated in the coming years.
The settlement amounts for the Zantac case are anticipated to be substantial, with damages including medical costs, possible income loss, emotional and physical suffering, and loss of consortium.
The “zantac breast cancer class action lawsuit” is a lawsuit that has been filed against the Zantac company. The suit alleges that Zantac’s product caused cancer in women who used it for heartburn, and it also claims that the company knew about this problem but did not inform its customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I qualify for Zantac lawsuit?
A: The following is a list of potential qualifying symptoms that will help you determine if you qualify for the Zantac lawsuit.
If your doctor has diagnosed or strongly suspects GERD, ulcers, heartburn, throat inflammation, esophageal acid reflux disease (EERD), or Barrett’s Esophagus in an asymptomatic individual who does not have any other known medical conditions and such diagnosis was made at least 6 months prior to filing suit with no significant change in symptomatology then they are likely eligible to file suit.
How much is the Zantac lawsuit worth?
A: The Zantac lawsuit is valued at $38,000.
What if you cant prove you took Zantac?
A: I will send the police my recordings of when you took Zantac.
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