Zantac was commonly prescribed by doctors to help prevent acid formation in the stomach. Latest studies have shown that the medicine Zantac has carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds in it. In this article, we shall dig a little deeper into this matter and find out how Zantac is linked to liver cancer.
What is Zantac?
Zantac is the generic name of the drug called Ranitidine. These meds are often recommended by doctors to avoid acid refluxes, the formation of acid in the stomach, and stomach ulcers.
In April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration in the US sent out a request to stop the production and sale of Zantac after their study found out that Zantac has the potential to cause cancer.
Zantac can cause liver, bladder, esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancer in humans. But what does Zantac contain that makes it responsible for causing cancer?
How does Zantac cause liver cancer?
In 2019, a pharmacy filed a petition to recall all the Zantac from the market. Since then, extensive research has been done to find the possible harmful effects of Zantac.
The medicine Zantac hasn’t always been a cause of cancer. It was considered safe until 2019 when speculations regarding Zantac’s side effects were raised. The medicine has been contaminated with an excess amount of NDMA and this is what made it a harmful medicine now.
Zantac has a chemical called Nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA. This chemical is responsible for cancer in animals. It is also highly hepatotoxic, meaning, the chemical can cause diseases in the liver.
NDMA is present in a lot of things including water. A small amount of NDMA does no harm, but an overdose can be fatal. FDA says a maximum of 96 nanograms of NDMA consumption is safe for humans.
The Zantac tablet had an excess amount of NDMA which is why the drug was called off. It was initially believed that the amount of NDMA in the Zantac tablet can increase when subjected to higher temperatures. But the latest investigation has revealed that NDMA can increase its amount even at room temperature.
NDMA is a cancerogenic substance that leads to mutation of the normal cell DNA. Mutation in cell DNA is how tumors are formed in our body leading to what we call cancer.
So, if the NDMA causes any mutation in cells of your liver, you will soon be diagnosed with liver cancer. There are many reasons why you could be diagnosed with liver cancer. But if the main cause turns out to be Zantac, here is what you can do to help you out financially.
What should I do if I am diagnosed with liver cancer after having Zantac?
Although the sale of Zantac has been terminated for time being there is a great possibility that you were consuming these tablets regularly. To begin with, you should stop consuming this table right away. Now if you are diagnosed with liver cancer and the investigation finds out that Zantac is the main cause then you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
A large sum of money is required for cancer therapy. When a family is already emotionally overwhelmed, filing a lawsuit can at least provide them with some financial relief. You can file a lawsuit if the medicine package does not inform the right amount of Ranitidine in it and also if it provides no warning regarding the cancer-causing effects of Zantac.
You can demand money from the brand for causing you all this trouble and pain. The lawsuit can help you get compensation for your medicine and hospital bills, travel expenses of the treatment, losing your job, funeral expenses, and more. If your caretaker is losing his/her salary because they are busy taking care of you, you can make the brand compensate for that too.
Get help from a personal injury lawyer to get more information and proper guidance.
Bottom line
All medicines have one or other side effects. We strongly encourage you to seek help from a doctor before consuming any medicines. We also recommend that you read the packet of the medicine carefully before buying. Look for any disclaimers and warnings. Check the contents and if you are allergic to any, please refrain from buying.
Here is a quick recap-
- Zantac is the generic name of the drug called Ranitidine.
- In April 2020 Food and Drug Administration in the US send out a request to stop the production and sale of Zantac.
- Zantac has a chemical called Nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA that causes cancer.
- If you are diagnosed with liver cancer and the investigation finds out that Zantac is the main cause then you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
