What Is NDMA?
NDMA stands for N-Nitrosodimethylamine, and it is a chemical compound recently found in dangerous levels in drugs containing the ingredient ranitidine. Among the drugs that contain NDMA are Zantac and generic ranitidine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you or your loved one developed cancer and have taken Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another medication containing ranitidine in the past, then you may have a lawsuit based on negligence.
NDMA Is Thought to Induce Tumors
According to a lawsuit labeled as multidistrict litigation (MDL) 2924, NDMA:
- Is used primarily to produce tumors in lab animals
- May be present in extremely dangerous levels in those who take Zantac and other medications containing ranitidine
- May lead to you or your loved one developing cancer if you have taken Zantac or another form of medication containing ranitidine
NDMA is not intended for human consumption, and can be very dangerous if ingested in large quantities. According to MDL 2924, those who take Zantac may be exposed to levels of NDMA up to 400 times greater than what would be considered harmless.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NDMA may also be found:
- In wastewater treatment plants
- As a byproduct of rocket fuel production
- In research projects (possibly including those studying tumors in lab animals)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that NDMA “is produced in the U.S. only for use as a research chemical.” Yet, NDMA has been shown to be present in unsafe levels in Zantac and other medications that contain ranitidine.
Zantac Is a Source of Unsafe Levels of NDMA
Despite being labeled by the FDA and drug manufacturers as safe for more than three decades, findings discovered in 2019 exposed the ingredient ranitidine in Zantac as a source of unsafe levels of NDMA.
Valisure is an online pharmacy and laboratory that first shed light on the potential danger of ranitidine in Zantac, according to ABC News. According to Valisure’s findings, NDMA:
- Could arise from the breakdown of ranitidine in the human body, meaning that Zantac and generic ranitidine itself may produce unsafe levels of NDMA in those who consume those medications
- May have been induced in “babies, adults, and the elderly” given prescription ranitidine
- May change the makeup of your DNA, which is a process that can lead to the development of cancer
The findings that ranitidine may be inherently unstable, and that Zantac—once the “world’s best-selling drug,” according to Reuters—may have been a cancer risk since 1983 is a massive finding that has justifiably sparked lawsuits.
You May Be Able to Join a Zantac Lawsuit
The discovery that ranitidine in Zantac and other similar medications may cause potentially carcinogenic levels of NDMA has brought about questions of negligence pertaining to:
- The FDA, which failed to detect the seemingly unstable nature of ranitidine in Zantac or generic versions of Zantac at any point between 1983 and 2019
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers who produced Zantac, generic ranitidine, and other medications containing ranitidine at any period before 2019
- Any other medical professionals who prescribed Zantac or ranitidine without informing patients of the possible dangers of the drugs
It is possible that such defendants may be found negligent for:
- Failing to detect significant risks of harm in a drug that they marketed as relatively safe
- Failing to ensure that a drug is as safe as possible, which may be grounds for suing a pharmaceutical manufacturer, according to the journal Pharmacy & Therapeutics
- Knowingly or unknowingly exposing countless consumers of Zantac and ranitidine to an elevated risk of developing significant, potentially lethal cancers
If you or a loved one developed cancer that may have been caused by unsafe levels of NDMA in ranitidine or Zantac specifically, then you may be able to collect compensation for your losses.
Speak With a Legal Team to Find Out How They May Assist You
A lawyer may be able to advise you on your eligibility to join an existing lawsuit or launch a lawsuit of your own. Some of the factors that a lawyer may consider when providing such advice may include:
- The nature of your cancer
- The duration for which you took Zantac or ranitidine
- The amount of Zantac or ranitidine that you took
- Whether your consumption of ranitidine or Zantac is documented
If you choose to move forward with a lawsuit against one or more parties, then a lawyer may assist with all of your legal needs. If successful, you may be able to collect compensation for:
- Cancer-related expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Any other losses potentially caused by your use of ranitidine or Zantac specifically
A lawyer will handle your legal needs as you focus on recovery.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Do not wait to call our legal team, as there could be a time limit on your ability to join a class-action lawsuit or multidistrict litigation. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 to learn how we may be able to lead your Zantac or ranitidine lawsuit.
