Zantac & Ranitidine Lawsuit

Ranitidine hydrochloride, sold under the brand name Zantac and others, is a popular drug used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers. The FDA ordered a full market withdrawal of ranitidine products in April 2020 after NDMA, a probable human carcinogen was detected.

The History of Zantac

Ranitidine, sold under the brand name Zantac and others, is a popular drug used to treat various gastrointestinal issues. Ranitidine products work by decreasing stomach acid production, helping to prevent or temporarily relieve heartburn, acid reflux, ulcers, and other similar ailments.

It was discovered in England in 1977, came into commercial use in 1981, and went on to become one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. By 2019, there were over 13 million active ranitidine prescriptions in the United States alone. Certain preparations of ranitidine products also became available over the counter (OTC). For example, in the U.S., consumers could purchase 75 and 150-mg tablets OTC from their local drug stores until the FDA ordered a full market withdrawal of ranitidine products in April 2020.

Other Names for Zantac

Zantac is the most common brand name for the drug ranitidine hydrochloride or ranitidine HCL. It was manufactured and sold by Sanofi in the United States. Before the FDA recalled all ranitidine products, generic ranitidine hydrochloride products were widely available from other manufacturers, including Apotex and Sandoz.

Recommended Zantac Dosage

Zantac (ranitidine) was given in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and syrups, as well as injectables. Prescription Zantac oral tablets and capsules could be taken once or twice daily, with or without food, as directed by a doctor. Some patients were instructed to take Zantac up to 4 times a day. Ultimately, the exact dosage was based on the patient’s condition and responsiveness to treatment.

Patients who used nonprescription Zantac to treat symptoms of indigestion or heartburn took one tablet by mouth with a glass of water as needed. To prevent heartburn, patients could take one tablet by mouth 30-60 minutes before a meal. Zantac’s label directions warned not to take more than two tablets in a 24-hour period or for more than 14 days in a row unless instructed by a doctor.

Zantac Side Effects

Common side effects of Zantac include diarrhea, constipation, and headache. Some patients reported dizziness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and drowsiness. In rare circumstances, especially among the elderly or those who were especially ill, there were reports of central nervous system issues (including depression and hallucinations), cardiovascular trouble (such as tachycardia), and issues impacting the liver and lungs.

Zantac Overdose Risk & Signs

Overdosing on Zantac or other ranitidine products is very rare but not impossible. Taking much more than the recommended dosage of prescription or OTC Zantac could build up dangerous levels of the drug in the body. Symptoms of a Zantac overdose typically include trouble walking and low blood pressure that results in dizziness or fainting.

How Does Zantac Interact with Other Drugs?

Because ranitidine products like Zantac work by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces, it should not be taken with other drugs that need stomach acid to help the body properly absorb them. This could include certain azole antifungals (like itraconazole), atazanavir, delavirdine, pazopanib, and dasatinib, among others. Importantly, Zantac shouldn’t be taken with other products that contain ranitidine or other H2 blockers, including cimetidine, famotidine, and nizatidine.

Zantac Cancer Lawsuit

In September 2019, a probable carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) called NDMA was detected in ranitidine products, including Zantac—a popular heartburn drug ranitidine. The FDA asked manufacturers to recall the drug and its generic forms pending investigation and urged consumers to seek other over-the-counter (OTC) alternatives for acid indigestion and heartburn symptoms. NDMA is commonly ingested in food and water but not in levels expected to lead to an increased risk of cancer.

In the instance of Zantac and other ranitidine medicines, the FDA raised concerns about ranitidine tablets and ranitidine hydrochloride capsules, pointing to the potential dangers associated with too much acid exposure. This led many individuals to file Zantac cancer lawsuits against manufacturers of these human drugs. The recall affected OTC ranitidine, impacting those who relied on it for relief from sour stomach and acid indigestion. The ongoing legal action revolves around the alleged failure to adequately warn consumers about the potential risks posed by proton pump inhibitors like Zantac and other ranitidine products

The FDA Zantac Recall

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated extensive testing on ranitidine medications like Zantac after concerns about NDMA contamination surfaced. Additional testing confirmed that NDMA levels in Zantac 360 and other ranitidine drugs could increase over time, especially when stored at higher temperatures. Health care professionals had been prescribing ranitidine for symptom relief, particularly for frequent heartburn.

NDMA impurities present in Zantac and other ranitidine products exceeded the acceptable daily intake limit set by the FDA. In April 2020, due to the findings from FDA testing, the agency requested a full market withdrawal of all ranitidine products in the United States, marking a crucial step in addressing the potential health risks associated with angiotensin II receptor blockers in ranitidine medications. This FDA request for removal underscored the urgency of the situation and the need to protect consumers from the harmful effects of elevated NDMA levels in ranitidine drugs.

Zantac’s Rise and Fall

 At the height of its popularity, Zantac became one of the world’s first-ever drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales. By 2019, before the drug was recalled by the FDA, there were over 13 million active prescriptions in the United States alone. This suggests that doctors considered Zantac and its generic forms an extremely viable treatment for heartburn and gastrointestinal issues. However, once the probable carcinogen NDMA was linked to ranitidine products, prescriptions and over-the-counter availability of the drugs abruptly halted.

Risk of Zantac Addiction

While it was available, there were no reported instances of ranitidine products, including Zantac, becoming habit-forming.

Alternative Remedies for Heartburn & Acid Reflux

There are many other ways to treat and prevent acid reflux, heartburn, and other conditions that Zantac was used to address. For example, lifestyle changes can go a long way. Stop smoking and drinking, as that decreases the esophagus’s ability to function properly. Proper diet and weight management are also key.

Patients may also prevent issues by avoiding large meals, eating meals earlier, or cutting out trigger foods altogether. Some people find relief by waiting at least 3 hours before lying down after a meal and elevating the head of their bed if they experience heartburn at night. Loose-fitting clothing can also help improve symptoms, as tighter clothes can put pressure on your abdomen.

Zantac Lawsuits & Settlements

Scores of people who were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac and ranitidine products are coming forward with their stories. A class action suit against Zantac manufacturers in California is the first to schedule an official trial, slated for October 2022—the first in a series of bellwether cases that will set the future of Zantac litigation in full motion. Multidistrict litigation is also moving forward in Florida, where over 800 cases are pending. Cases in an array of other states, including New York, Oregon, Texas, and Tennessee, could also be scheduled to begin before the California trial.

Ranitidine Lawsuit & Settlements

These are just a few examples. The revelations about ranitidine products containing NDMA are recent. Litigation is just beginning, but it’s moving full steam ahead. There have been no settlements yet, but the bellwether cases mentioned above may be used to anticipate future settlement amounts.

Trusted Sources on Zantac

For more information on Zantac, its recall by the FDA, and NDMA, visit these trusted resources:

• FDA Updates & Press Announcements on NDMA in Zantac
• FDA Drug Insert – Zantac
• Zantac Tablet: Uses, Side Effects and More
• CDC Public Health Statement – NDMA