On April 1, 2020, the FDA released a statement requesting that manufacturers withdraw all Zantac (ranitidine) medication immediately.
What might seem like an April Fool’s Day joke in bad taste, turned out very serious indeed. Studies reveal that Zantac contains over 3000 times the safe amount of the carcinogen NDMA under certain conditions.
Are you curious or worried about the relationship between Zantac and cancer? Keep reading to find out more.
What is Zantac?
Zantac is an over-the-counter medication containing the H2 blocker Ranitidine. It’s used to treat and heal various stomach and esophageal conditions.
These include:
- Erosive esophagitis
- GERD
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
It’s taken daily after food, and was an effective treatment for these conditions before these health issues emerged.
The Link Between Zantac and Cancer
The problem with Zantac, and a few other OTC medications is that they contain the ingredients for the carcinogen, NDMA, or n-nitrosodimethylamine.
Conditions in the human stomach create the perfect environment to cause a reaction resulting in exceptionally high levels of NDMA.
Animal studies have proven that cancer is one of the side effects caused by taking high doses of NDMA.
Types of Cancer Linked to Zantac
You won’t get cancer from ingesting Zantac once. It takes years for the levels of NDMA to build up to dangerous levels.
Over time, excessive NDMA intake can lead to the following cancer types:
Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer’s also called gastric cancer. It’s slow-growing cancer that develops over many years. It forms in the lining of the stomach.
Intestinal Cancer
This type of cancer affects both the small and large intestines. It’s a rare form of cancer caused when NDMA becomes trapped in this part of the digestive system. Symptoms of intestinal cancer include rectal bleeding and unexplained weight loss.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer mainly affects men. It causes difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and chest pain. These symptoms cause sufferers to take even more Zantac and worsen the problem.
Colorectal Cancer
A polyp in the colon or rectum is the first sign of this cancer. Small polyps rarely cause problems. Large ones can quickly develop into full-blown cancer.
Bladder Cancer
This cancer causes painful urination and blood in the urine. Fortunately, most treatments for bladder cancer are highly successful. Increased exposure times to NDMA create a higher risk of developing cancer.
Prostate Cancer
It’s important for men to go for prostate cancer exams to avoid this cancer as part of a regular health check. Symptoms of prostate cancer include painful urination and erectile dysfunction. NDMA increases the risk considerably.
Liver Cancer
The liver processes all toxins that enter our bodies. This makes it highly susceptible to NDMA. Abdominal pain, swelling in the abdomen, and a feeling of weakness are signs of liver cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas plays an important role in digestion and is indirectly affected by NDMA. Late diagnosis means this cancer’s often fatal. Symptoms include abdominal pain, yellowing eyes, and itchy skin.
Throat and Nasal Cancer
This cancer affects the flat cell lining of the throat. The symptoms include a sore throat, voice changes, and coughing. People with GERD have an increased risk of developing this cancer.
Find out more about your options from zantacsettlement.org regarding Zantac lawsuits if you’ve been taking this medication and you show any signs of the above cancers.
Keep Tabs on Your Health
It’s frightening to think that we’ve only uncovered the link between Zantac and cancer now. That’s why it’s important to stick to proven medications whenever you’re treating an ailment.
Research can help you find alternative safe treatments to new, potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals.
Explore our blog for some more common-sense pointers to help safeguard your health.