Earlier this month the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall statement on Ranitidine tablets after unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) were found in the tablets. Ranitidine tablets are commonly sold under the brand names of Zantac or Wal-Zan. NDMA has been identified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization. The recall affects USP 150 milligram, 100 count blister packs of ranitidine tablets. The FDA recall of the drug occurred after drug distributor American Health Packaging and drug manufacturer Amneal Pharmaceuticals issued voluntary nationwide recalls on Ranitidine tablets.
What is Ranitidine Used for?
Ranitidine decreases the amount of acid that is created by the stomach. Ranitidine tablets may be prescribed to treat intestinal and stomach ulcers. The tablets may also be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or help repair damage to the lining of the esophagus. Ranitidine can be delivered to the body through tablets, capsules, or as a syrup.
How the Recall Affects Consumers
The FDA advises individuals taking ranitidine under a prescription who wish to discontinue the treatment should first talk to their health care professional to discuss alternative treatment methods. Currently, there are multiple drugs that have FDA-approval to treat similar conditions that Ranitidine tablets cover. At this time, American Health Packaging has not reported any negative effects of ranitidine use that have been found to be directly linked to the tablets recalled.
How NDMA was Found in Zantac
The unacceptable levels of NDMA in Zantac and generic forms of the drug were uncovered by Valisure, a small online pharmacy. After discovering that NDMA levels in ranitidine exceeded the FDA guidelines, Valisure petitioned the agency to issue a recall of the drug. Valisure has also reported that Ranitidine produced NDMA when the drug was introduced to conditions that were designed to replicate human digestion. However, the FDA has yet to verify or dispute this claim.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Could Help
If you or a loved one has taken Zantac or another Ranitidine tablet for an extended period of time and developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer may be able to guide you through your options and select the best one for you. Contact the experienced personal injury legal team at Whitley Law Firm today.
Whitley Law Firm Attorney Whitney Butcher is investigating potential cases of individuals developing various forms of cancer following the use of Zantac/ranitidine. If you or a loved one has suffered similar injuries and would like to take legal action, schedule a consultation today.
