Americans who suffer from stomach-related issues that cause excess intestinal acid may have taken Zantac through a prescription or over-the-counter medicine. Recently, the product has been removed from shelves after an FDA request made in April 2020. The request asks for manufacturers to immediately remove the drug from the market. An investigation showed that those who take Zantac may be in danger of developing cancer.
While the drug may not be available anymore, it’s possible that people have already been affected by this drug and are suffering the consequences. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and you believe the diagnosis may be related to taking Zantac, you may be able to take legal action with the help of a Peru, IL Zantac cancer lawyer.
The lawyers at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP are dedicated to helping the citizens of Illinois. Before learning more about how our firm can help, let’s go over why the FDA has pulled Zantac off the shelves.
Why Did the FDA Request the Halt of Zantac Production?
The FDA has been investigating ranitidine drugs. Zantac is a brand name for ranitidine. These drugs contain a contaminant that’s called N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. While this chemical does not persist in the environment, low-level exposure may happen from tobacco smoke, cured meats, beer, fish, cheese, cosmetic products, detergents, pesticides, and more. If the exposure remains at low levels, there isn’t concern for an increased risk of cancer.
Higher exposure levels of NDMA can lead to cancer, and the amount of NDMA may increase in ranitidine drugs. NDMA can increase over time, so the older the drug gets, the more NDMA it may contain. The impurity also increases when the drug is stored at higher than room temperatures. Because this could cause people to be taking unknown high-level doses of NDMA, doctors will no longer be able to prescribe this drug and it also won’t be available in over-the-counter forms in the U.S.
What Should You Do If You’re Taking Zantac?
It’s understandable for those who have been taking Zantac to have concerns about the side effects of NDMA. The FDA also has guidelines on what to do.
If you were prescribed Zantac, do not stop taking the drug as this could cause other health complications. Instead, get in touch with your doctor so they can advise you on how to proceed. They will know the safest way to handle this situation.
You may have been taking over-the-counter Zantac, in which case you may be able to try other OTC alternatives to treat your condition. To date, the FDA has not found amounts of NDMA in the following alternatives that work similarly to Zantac and may be able to help:
- Famotidine, brand name Pepcid
- Cimetidine, brand name Tagamet
- Esomeprazole, brand name Nexium
- Lansoprazole, brand name Prevacid
- Omeprazole, brand name Prilosec
Now that you have information on how to move forward, you may wonder about what to do with your ranitidine drugs. Bringing the drug to a take-back location isn’t recommended at this time by the FDA because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, you can look at the drug’s medication guide to find disposal instructions. If this isn’t available, look at the FDA’s medicine disposal page to find out how to proceed.
An Illinois Zantac Cancer Lawyer Will Stand Up for Your Rights
When a manufacturing company makes a defective product that causes harm to consumers, the company can potentially be held accountable for their actions. These harmful products may reach the market because the manufacturer rushed the process, didn’t run enough clinical trials, or didn’t properly prioritize the risks of long-term use during trials. Our lawyers have experience in providing legal advice to clients who were hurt because of a defective product or dangerous drug.
Compensation you receive can provide peace of mind that you’ll be able to keep up with your financial matters so you can focus on treatment. You can recover for medical expenses, which includes past medical care, future care, lost wages, loss of earnings if you’re no longer able to work, and other financial losses that have happened because of your diagnosis. These monetary losses of your illness are considered economic damages.
However, there is another aspect to your potential compensation that you may not be familiar with—noneconomic damages. These include the other negative consequences of your illness. As you have symptoms and go through treatment, you may experience pain and suffering. It may affect your day to day life, and also cause you to miss events or from doing things you used to enjoy. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for these non-economic damages.
One of the biggest advantages of having a personal injury lawyer from our Peru, IL firm on your side is our experience in knowing the various types of noneconomic damages that may apply to you and how to establish those in order to maximize your compensation.
Seek Your Legal Options in Illinois Today
The legal process can take time, so it’s important to get started quickly. We provide a free-consultation in which we will go over your case facts, including the medication you took, the type of cancer you were diagnosed with, and how it’s affecting your life. If those factors point toward you having a valid claim, we will discuss with you the options that may apply to you. We are here to answer your questions.
While we cannot undo the diagnosis, we can fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve. We’ll protect your rights and make sure your voice is heard. Give Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP a call today so you can learn more about your rights.
