Frequently Asked Questions

In late 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted that an independent party detected unsafe levels of nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a substance listed as a likely carcinogen to people. While this information was enough for multiple countries to recall ranitidine products, the FDA declared that it would require investigations before making a suggestion regarding Zantac and other medications.

Then, in April 2020, the FDA confirmed that it detected high levels of NDMA in multiple ranitidine products. Notably, it expressed concern that many ranitidine medications were not only contaminated with NDMA, but the substance had the potential to increase while being stored in typical conditions. In its update, the FDA revealed that “…impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels of this impurity.”

In other words, Zantac and ranitidine medications aren’t just dangerous—their potential to cause harm increases with each moment they are stored on the shelf. This is an unacceptable risk for a medication like Zantac since other medications don’t carry the same high stakes health risks.

Yes. In 2018, dangerous levels of NDMA in blood pressure medications triggered a recall of them. Officials have not revealed how the medications were contaminated with NDMA. While the FDA reacted quickly then, its slow response to the current ranitidine situation has led some industry experts to criticize the agency.

Zantac is a brand name of ranitidine, a medication used to treat the overproduction of stomach acid and heartburn. However, the brand Zantac is not the only product that uses ranitidine. A variety of stomach acid medications utilize ranitidine as their active ingredient.

Popular products that contain ranitidine include the following:

• Zantac 150,
• Zantac 150 Maximum Strength
• Zantac Maximum Strength Cool Mint
• Zantac 75
• Wal-Zan 150
• Wal-Zan 75
• Heartburn Relief
• Acid Reducer
• Acid Control

While these popular products contain ranitidine, you may use a product containing the substance marketed under a different name. Consult your physician to verify if your medication contains ranitidine.

While ranitidine was initially marketed as Zantac, the medication is now produced by dozens of companies and sold under different names. As of April 2020, multiple companies have recalled their ranitidine products.

Brands that have recalled their ranitidine products include the following (as of April 2020):

• American Health Packaging
• Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
• Apotex Corp.
• Appco Pharma
• Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
• Denton Pharma, Inc. dba Northwind Pharmaceuticals
• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Golden State Medical Supply (GSMS, Inc.)
• Lannett Company, Inc.
• Novitium Pharma
• Perrigo Company plc
• Precision Dose Inc.
• Sandoz Inc.
• Sanofi

Even if the producer of your medication isn’t listed above, you should still call. The FDA has requested that all companies pull their products that contain ranitidine. An up-to-date list of companies that have officially recalled their products can be found on the FDA’s official Recalls, Market Withdrawls, & Safety Alerts page.

The risk for cancer associated with ranitidine is associated with nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination. In some instances, Zantac and other ranitidine medications can accumulate increased levels of NDMA as they age on the shelf. Researchers are still investigating the risks of NDMA.

Types of cancer linked to NDMA contaminated ranitidine include the following:

• Liver cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Lung cancer for non-smokers
• Small intestine cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Gall bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer

If the type of cancer you developed while taking ranitidine is not listed above, speak with Arnold & Itkin LLP as soon as possible. A member of our team will help you decide if you have a potential case at no cost.

No. The FDA suggests that all forms of ranitidine, including injectable versions of the medication, should stop being used immediately.

The FDA is not certain how long Zantac and other ranitidine products have had issues with NDMA impurities. The agency needs more scientific evidence before it can provide how long this problem has existed. This means anyone who took this medication might be able to make a claim and should speak with us as soon as possible.

Arnold & Itkin LLP operates on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure means that our clients never have to pay us upfront for our services. Our team only collects a fee if we win results for a case. In other words, we cover every cost associated with a case and collect an agreed-upon portion only if our clients win their case.

Working this way makes our services attainable and stress-free for our clients. If we take your case, you’ll never have to worry about bills, invoices, and tracking how much time you’ve spent speaking with our team. We’re always available to speak with our clients because we want this process to be as simple for them as possible.

If you think that your use of Zantac or another ranitidine medication has harmed you, call Arnold & Itkin LLP as soon as possible. Our lawyers know what it takes to demand answers from some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. In fact, our team recently worked to obtain a record-setting $8 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson. We never back down for clients because we know that getting the results they need has the potential to completely change their lives for the better. When you call us, you’ll be connected with a member of our team who will listen to your story and help you decide if you have a case. However, the only way we can start fighting for the compensation that you deserve is if you call us right now.

Our Zantac lawsuit lawyers are standing by to take your call right now at (888) 760-2461. A consultation with our team is free, and you’ll only pay us if we win your case.