More Manufacturers Pull Generic Zantac Over Carcinogen Concerns

Manufacturers such as GlaxoSmithKline are pulling generic forms of Zantac off of the market, after Novartis’ Sandoz Inc. issued a voluntary recall earlier this week due to confirmed carcinogen contamination.  Here, the pharmaceutical liability attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos discuss the updates to the ongoing Zantac claims.

GlaxoSmithKline has stopped global distribution of its generic Zantac based on concerns that the medication was contaminated with a likely carcinogen. NDMA, or nitrosodimethylamine, has been confirmed to have been found in generic versions of the drug, and has been cited as one of the contaminants found in drugs including Valsartan earlier this year.

Voluntary Recalls of Generic Zantac

Specific lots of the popular over-the-counter medication have been voluntarily pulled from shelves by numerous manufacturing and distribution companies all over the world, including Sandoz Inc., GlaxoSmithKline– the original manufacturer of branded Zantac–and Dr. Reddy’s.

Regulators Investigating Generic Zantac Contamination

On September 24th, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that it had begun testing batches of generic Zantac, or ranitidine, manufactured by several different companies. The agency also urged manufacturers to conduct internal testing.

What is NDMA?

NDMA is a contaminant found in meat, vegetables, dairy and water It is classified as a probable human carcinogen, meaning that it is a substance that could cause cancer when consumed. Known adverse effects of exposure include:

  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Jaundice
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Reduced organ function
  • Dizziness

The carcinogen was one of a group of compounds found in other medications in 2018, leading to a global recall. After testing medications including Valsartan and Losartan, the FDA found levels of several possible carcinogens.

It is important that consumers who have experienced any of these symptoms after taking generic Zantac, Valsartan or Losartan contact a medical professional, and report the adverse effect using the FDA’s MedWatch reporting system.

Speak with an Experienced Consumer Advocate and Attorney 

The Law Offices of Peter Angelos has successfully represented consumers severely harmed by oversight, negligence or wrongdoing of large pharmaceutical companies, recovering millions of dollars on their behalf. Our pharmaceutical liability attorneys urge you to contact our Baltimore office today if you or a loved one may have taken generic forms of Zantac possibly contaminated by NDMA.