In April 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration requested that all prescription and over-the-counter Ranitidine medications be withdrawn from the market immediately. The ban was due to a compound called Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) that is found in Ranitidine medications, usually sold under the name Zantac. 

Further investigation into the matter is going on, but as of now, some speculate that consuming Zantac can cause bladder cancer. The speculation is mainly based on the fact that NDMA is responsible for cancer among animals. 

Before we talk more about these speculations, let us understand what Zantac is.

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What is Zantac? 

Zantac was a common drug prescribed by many doctors for preventing heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is also called the H2 blocker. Carcinogens, which are cancer-causing substances, were found in Zantac in September 2019. Since then, many pharmacies have stopped selling this drug and now there is also a legal order from FDA to stop its production.

Zantac lawsuit 

The manufacturing and marketing of Zantac have been restricted, but if you have been taking it and are experiencing symptoms of cancer, you should stop using it immediately. You may be able to launch a lawsuit and get compensation.

If you get diagnosed with bladder cancer after consuming Zantac you are capable of filing a lawsuit. Getting diagnosed with liver cancer after using Zantac can be very expensive, it can put a lot of emotional and financial stress on your family. The lawsuit can help you out of this. This lawsuit is applicable if the medicine has wrong information regarding Ranitidine or if there is no disclaimer on the packet regarding the cancer-causing side effects of the medicine. 

You have the right to seek compensation from the brand for your losses and suffering. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a case and receive guaranteed compensation.

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Zantac and bladder cancer

Most cancer diseases are caused due to mutation in the normal cell’s DNA. When this mutation occurs in the cells of our urinary bladder, we call it bladder cancer. Common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, backache, frequent urination, pain in the abdomen, and weight loss. 

Smoking, old age, and family history are some other common contributing factors. Certain chemicals like the NDMA also have the potential to cause mutations in the cells that may develop into bladder cancer. 

NDMA is a chemical that is permitted but only up to 96 nanograms per day. Any increase in this amount can be fatal. In 2020 FDA found out that the amount of NDMA in Zantac is higher than recommended and hence the temporary ban on it. 

It is not the manufacturer’s fault. The NDMA content can increase on its own when subjected to higher temperatures. This is what the earlier studies proved. However, recently it has been found that NDMA content can increase even at normal temperatures. 

Buying it from the pharmacy and storing it in the fridge won’t help either. The short time of taking the medicine in your hand from the chemist can cause an increase in NDMA’s content. 

So to answer your question. Does Zantac cause bladder cancer? It does have the potential to do so. The main contributing reasons for this conclusion are the presence of a high amount of NDMA and the fact that Zantac affects the gastrointestinal tract (the bladder is a part of it). If you, unfortunately, get diagnosed with bladder cancer and it turns out to be an aftereffect of Zantac you should take the help of a personal injury lawyer. The Zantac lawsuit shall help you financially to get good treatment for your disease.

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Bottom line 

Zantac is a common drug that has been prescribed to individuals suffering from excess acid formation in the stomach. But the recent studies showed a different story. We recommend you check the medicines before consuming them and do not take any medicine without consulting a doctor. 

Here’s a quick recap:

• Zantac used to be a drug prescribed by many doctors to prevent or treat heartburn and excess accumulation of acid in the stomach. 
• NDMA present in Ranitidine or Zantac can cause bladder cancer. 
• The permissible amount of NDMA is 96 nanograms as per FDA. 
• FDA’s investigation found that the amount of NDMA increases when exposed to normal or any higher temperature. 
• FDA restricted the production of this drug in 2020 after they found the presence of these carcinogens in Zantac. 
• In case you have been consuming Zantac before the restriction and now you are diagnosed with cancer, then you can file a lawsuit for compensation.