Is Zantac Safe to Take?
Although Zantac spent years on the shelves as a popular antacid, the over-the-counter drug was recalled in 2021 due to potentially harmful levels of a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). There are strong links between NDMA and serious health risks, including cancer. That said, Zantac has since returned to the market with a new formulation that is marketed as safe and free of NDMA.
The New Formulation of Zantac
The Zantac product that is currently on the market is known as Zantac 360. This product is marketed to be a safe, effective version of the original medication, and features a different active ingredient compared to the original Zantac. Originally, the active ingredient in Zantac was ranitidine, which caused the drug to become contaminated with NDMA. Since NDMA is a known carcinogen, ranitidine-containing Zantac was removed from the shelves through a voluntary recall.
David Light, CEO for Valisure, the lab that first discovered NDMA contamination in ranitidine, was blunt: “There is no acceptable cancer risk for a drug like this.”
The current version of Zantac uses a different key ingredient known as Famotidine. Famotidine is in the same class of medication as ranitidine and is designed to prevent heartburn and acid reflux in the same way. Famotidine is an H2 blocker, which is useful in a number of other stomach conditions.
The major benefit of famotidine over ranitidine is that there are no links to cancer. To date, this appears to make the current formulation of Zantac safer than the original version.
Issues with the Original Zantac Formulation
While the current version of Zantac is marketed as safe and free from any carcinogens, there remain strong, apparent links between the original Zantac and the development of certain cancers.
In April of 2020, the FDA issued a recall of both the over-the-counter and prescription variants of Zantac. This was due to reports that Zantac contained NDMA, a known cancer-causing agent. The recall warning required retailers and pharmacies to remove the drugs from their shelves completely. During that time, the FDA recommended alternatives to Zantac for heartburn.
The issue with the original formulation of Zantac was the presence of dangerous levels of NDMA in the drug. NDMA is routinely consumed by humans at low doses. This substance occurs naturally in foods that go through the fermentation process or are roasted. Meats, cheeses, and beer all contain some amounts of NDMA.
When present in higher amounts, however, NDMA is considered a carcinogen. Research has indicated that ranitidine can under certain circumstances break down and produce unsafe levels of NDMA. This is especially likely when Zantac is stored for long periods of time at high temperatures.
Have You Taken Zantac and Been Diagnosed with Cancer?
FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after taking the original formulation of brand-name Zantac, you may be entitled to compensation. The FDA has determined that Zantac and generic ranitidine are contaminated with NDMA and may cause cancer.
The consultation with a North Carolina personal injury lawyer is free, there is no obligation, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and recover financial compensation for you.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer potentially as a result of taking Zantac, you deserve justice — and you may be entitled to compensation. Riddle & Brantley has successfully represented clients who have developed cancer due to contaminant exposure, and in one case, we recovered $850,000 for a plaintiff exposed to asbestos-containing products (see disclaimer below).
You may qualify for a Zantac lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:
- Used brand-name Zantac only
- Suffered from at least one of the following cancers:
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Must have used brand-name Zantac after October 1984
- Must have used brand-name Zantac for a minimum of one year
- Must have used brand-name Zantac once per week for a minimum of six months
- Must have been diagnosed with a qualifying cancer within 20 years of last dose
- Must not have been a smoker in the past 20 years if diagnosed with lung cancer
- Must be 64 years of age or younger at the time of diagnosis if diagnosed with prostate cancer
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, the federal MDL has limited the Zantac claims we can accept to bladder, esophageal, stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers only. We understand that other cancers may be linked, but we are unfortunately unable to assist with these claims at this time due to evidence and recent court rulings.
Certain other criteria may apply. For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Zantac lawsuit attorney, please call 1-800-525-7111.
Contact Riddle & Brantley Right Away
If you have questions about whether your use of Zantac is tied to your cancer diagnosis, you deserve answers. The right attorney can advise you on your right to pursue a Zantac lawsuit against the manufacturer of brand-name Zantac.
FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.
IMPORTANT: A federal judge recently ruled against lawsuits concerning generic Zantac. At this point, we can only accept cases concerning use of brand-name Zantac OR “mixed” use of brand-name Zantac and generic equivalents.
The experienced Zantac injury attorneys at Riddle & Brantley have been fighting to hold drug companies accountable for more than three decades. Our attorneys have more than 220+ years in combined legal experience and we would love to help you if we can.
"It was nice to see Riddle and Brantley put me and my needs first."
-R. Colley, Riddle & Brantley client
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.