Zantac is an over-the-counter drug that was readily prescribed by doctors and consumed by people until it was called back from the market in the latter half of 2019. Zantac, a brand name for the drug Ranitidine, has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems, heartburn, stomach ulcers, indigestion, and more.
The whole controversy of the ‘Zantac call-back saga’ erupted after the links drawn by some scientists between several different types of cancer upon prolonged Zantac consumption. The researchers found that Zantac contained a carcinogen(cancer-causing element) called NDMA, which has is linked to causing a range of cancers, including:
- Stomach Cancer
- Throat Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Intestinal Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Lung Cancer
This is when the FDA issued an order to call back all Zantac from pharmacies and all other outlets across the US.
If you or someone you know used Zantac while it was available in the market, and you have developed symptoms of cancer, specifically stomach cancer, you may file a lawsuit for compensation from the manufacturers. You can find more details about the same on this link: https://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/stomach-cancer.html
In this article, we will throw some light on the links between stomach cancer and Zantac. We aim to aggregate the publicly available information to conclude. Let’s dive in.
What is NDMA and How Has It Tainted Zantac?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned in 2019 that some Ranitidine drugs, including some items sold under the trade name Zantac, contain a nitrosamine contaminant known as NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) at low levels. Based on the findings of laboratory examinations, NDMA has been designated as a potential human carcinogen, a compound that might cause cancer.
NDMA is a semi-volatile organic compound that can arise spontaneously or through unintended industrial operations. The chlorination of effluent and drinking water might result in unintentional NDMA formation.
Natural processes can also result in the formation of NDMA. Zantac’s primary ingredient, Ranitidine, has a chemical structure that allows it to naturally produce NDMA when consumed.
The Ranitidine molecule has both the nitrite (N) and dimethylamine (DMA) components needed to make NDMA. Ranitidine’s chemical structure contains both nitrite and dimethylamine, making it extremely capable of creating NDMA under the most suitable circumstances.
Zantac Consumption and Stomach Cancer
Many people are concerned about the possibility of gastrointestinal malignancies being caused by Zantac and Ranitidine because of NDMA exposure. The FDA issued a warning in April 2020, stating that Zantac is definitely tainted with “high” quantities of NDMA and that Zantac can cause cancer, especially stomach cancer, which is sometimes also known as gastric cancer.
While experts continue to look at possible links between Zantac(Ranitidine) and various types of cancer, evidence suggests that tainted Zantac may cause stomach cancer.
“NDMA usage is positively connected with either stomach or colorectal cancer,” according to a report from the World Health Organization. Stomach cancer is sometimes referred to as gastric cancer.
NDMA consumption was linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer in a previous study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention. The FDA reported in a late 2019 study on Zantac NDMA contamination that NDMA levels observed in Zantac were “intolerably” high, implying that NDMA-tainted Zantac could cause stomach/gastric cancer.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) classify NDMA as a “probable human carcinogen,” and it has been shown to increase the risk of cancer in experimental animals. Based on the research, the chance of a link between stomach cancer and Zantac is substantial.
Sloan Memorial Cancer Center is conducting studies to better understand the cancer risks related to Zantac and Ranitidine, according to reports.
However, it’s noteworthy that the specific danger or likelihood of Zantac causing stomach cancer or other cancers is unclear at this point.
Has Zantac Caused Your Stomach Cancer?
If you’re worried about acquiring stomach/gastric cancer after using Zantac or want to know if Zantac is to blame for your existing stomach cancer, you must talk to your physician or a specialized cancer treatment team. Your physician can assess your risk of stomach/gastric cancer by reviewing your medical history and Zantac consumption.
The magnitude of the problem and the risk of acquiring cancer after using Zantac is currently being investigated. If you have indeed been diagnosed with stomach cancer because of Zantac use, you can file a claim for compensation for your suffering.
Conclusion
While there is a range of markers and studies that explicitly hint at the possibility of NDMA present in Zantac causing stomach cancer, there is no conclusive evidence as of yet to draw a conclusion. At the same time, you can still seek compensation if you think that your Zantac consumption has led to your stomach cancer based on the current evidence.
