You may have heard of the Zantac recall and may have taken the over-the-counter heartburn drug at some point. Initially, the drug manufacturers and the FDA did not find a substantial amount of NDMA in the heartburn medication. However, the drug was still taken off the shelf for fear of the potential to cause cancer in some users. The risk did not outweigh the reward in this case as deeper investigations were underway.
Unfortunately, there are already thousands of cases against Zantac drug manufacturers due to the long-term side effects including cancer that people have been afflicted with. If you experienced any of these side effects you should seek medical treatment and contact a Philadelphia product liability attorney.
What is NDMA?
You may be wondering what NDMA is and why it is so harmful. NDMA is found in a variety of things such as meat, dairy. Vegetables and even water. It is an environmental contaminant and is classified as a B2 carcinogen. This makes it a probable human carcinogen. According to the World Health Organization, high amounts of exposure to NDMA can cause colorectal or gastric cancer and is found to be extremely toxic to the liver.
Historically, NDMA was used to make rocket fuel but is currently only used for research purposes. Either way, this is not something you want to ingest. NDMA is also a byproduct of manufacturing processes found at industrial sites. NDMA is not the healthiest chemical as you can tell. You should not be unknowingly exposed to it. If you have been injured due to NDMA from taking Zantac it is imperative that you seek medical attention. You should also contact a Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
What is Zantac?
Zantac by definition is an H2 receptor blocker used for preventing and treating ulcers in the stomach. It is also used to treat heartburn, erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger Ellison Syndrome. The drug is known to have some mild side effects including:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems
- Impotence
- Muscle pain
- Problems with intimacy
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Constipation
The medication comes in a variety of forms like tablets, syrup, and injectable formulas. Zantac can interact with other medications and you should speak to your doctor before you begin the use of Zantac if you are already taking certain medications. Those who are pregnant should be cautious because even though there are no risks to the pregnancy it can be passed into breast milk.
NDMA and Other Drugs
NDMA has not only been found in Zantac but in other medications as well. In the summer of 2018, the FDA found NDMA in certain blood pressure and heart failure medications. These medications are categorized as angiotensin II receptor blockers. The FDA recalled these medications when they found high amounts of the component.
Call the Personal Injury Attorneys at Kwartler Manus Today
If you have been the victim of a long-term side effect or have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of the use of Zantac you should first seek medical attention. Next, you should contact the Philadelphia product liability attorney from Kwartler Manus LLC at 267-214-8608, or online using our contact form.