It has been six months since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered retailers to stop selling all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine medications, commonly known as Zantac. Taking Zantac (Ranitidine) to treat a simple condition such as heartburn, unfortunately, has led to more severe health concerns, including cancer. The FDA’s decision, which was made after finding dangerous levels of a cancer-causing chemical in the products, has left many people with questions.
Is it okay to keep any Zantac that is still in my medicine cabinet?
No. Discard any Zantac that you may have at home and seek an alternative. Scientists at the FDA spent several months evaluating OTC ranitidine medications and concluded even with normal storage, the products have increased and dangerous levels of the carcinogen, N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA.). As a result, older Zantac products could contain even more NDMA.
Your pharmacist or doctor can easily recommend substitute medications. Similar medicines deemed safe include Pepcid (Famotidine), Tagamet, (Cimetidine), Nexium (Esomeprazole), Prevacid (Lansoprazole) and Prilosec (Omeprazole).
I was a frequent Zantac user. What if I have cancer?
Have an honest conversation with your doctor, sharing your concerns. The longer you took Zantac or another ranitidine medication, the greater chance you have of being exposed to higher doses of NDMA. There are many serious cancers associated with ranitidine products, and they all could result in significant life changes or even death.
Some of the cancers include:
- Stomach cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Small intestine cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
What are my legal options?
It is best to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in Zantac cases to determine if you are eligible to participate in a lawsuit or if there are other legal options.
A settlement or verdict in a lawsuit could provide financial relief as you deal with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, including lost salary, cost of medical treatment, hospital stays and wrongful death. Although no amount of money can make up for the pain and suffering of a cancer diagnosis, receiving financial compensation is both deserved and beneficial for both you and your family.
These legal elements will require an attorney’s assistance, especially when proving the connection between diagnosis and product usage. Contact the lawyers at Childers, Schlueter & Smith at (800) 641-0098 to learn how we can help protect your legal rights.
At Childers, Schlueter & Smith, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of personal injury and/or those who have lost a loved one to wrongful death determine their legal options. We are a distinguished law firm that is driven by years of experience and exceptional results. If you or someone you know has been injured due to another’s negligence, please contact our firm to discuss your legal options.
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