If you previously took Zantac to manage heartburn, acid reflux, or another condition, you should discuss your options for switching to an alternative medication with your doctor or health care provider. There are many alternatives to Zantac on the market that are just as effective as ranitidine. Speaking with a medical professional can best determine how your body will react to certain medicines and also explain what side effects come with each drug.
Zantac’s recall has launched many lawsuits regarding the potential harm it posed to its users. If you or a loved one took Zantac or a related ranitidine product, you should speak with a medical professional regarding your risk for developing an adverse health condition.
Popular Substitutes for Zantac and Ranitidine Generics
There are several alternatives to Zantac still on the market to treat heartburn that do not contain any traces of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Whether you rely on over-the-counter or prescription medications, you may be able to switch to Nexium, Pepcid, Prilosec, Prevacid, or Tagamet. You may also be able to manage occasional heartburn or acid indigestion with the following alternatives to Zantac: Tums, Rolaids, or another acid reducer.
Some of the most popular and effective alternatives to Zantac are proton-pump inhibitors. These reflux and heartburn drugs reduce the acid in the stomach in a different way than Ranitidine.
The three most common alternatives to Zantac are:
- Esomeprazole (known by brand name Nexium)
- Lansoprazole (known by brand name Prevacid)
- Omeprazole (known by brand name Prilosec)
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers all of these medications safe and effective when used according to package instructions, although they are not right for some people.
Continue to Manage Your Symptoms With Alternatives to Zantac
According to a statement issued by the FDA in September 2019, there is no danger in continuing to use the Zantac you have on hand at this time. However, only a few brands remain on store shelves, so you may need to seek an alternative as your supply gets low. Alternatively, because there are questions about the safety of this medication, you may want to discontinue using it.
It is important, though, not to stop until you have a plan in place to manage your symptoms and related health concerns. You should discuss your treatment options with your doctor or pharmacist before you make the switch and ensure you continue with treatment.
Managing acid reflux or other conditions that lead to excess acid in the esophagus is important in preventing serious medical concerns. You may need to remain on a medication to ensure your health status is not endangered by rebounding acid levels.
Zantac May Be Linked to Several Types of Cancer
While the FDA maintains that the levels of contaminant NDMA are low and very close to the acceptable daily limits, claimants filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of these drugs are alleging that this is not the full story. In documents filed as a part of the Zantac multidistrict litigation 2924, claimants allege that the dangerous levels of NDMA alone are not the contaminants found in the pills.
Instead, they allege that the danger comes from metabolized ranitidine. When a person takes this drug with certain foods, it may metabolize and create very high levels of NDMA, tens of thousands of times higher than the FDA’s approved daily limit. This, they claim, is why those who have used Zantac and related medications have a high risk of developing cancer.
According to the documents from the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, related cancers may originate in various parts of the body, including the:
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Kidneys
Because the FDA is testing the medication before it is metabolized, the levels they report are much lower. To make matters even more complicated, the claimants allege that the drug manufacturers may have been aware of this concern since the 1980s.
You May Be Eligible to File a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit
If you took Zantac or another ranitidine product and later developed cancer, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and join the MDL that has already begun. Zanes Law can help you understand your options and explain your rights when moving forward with legal action. We know how to navigate this process, identify evidence to support your claim, and relieve the stress you may be facing.
Let us review your case for free today. Call (866) 499-8989 now to talk to a Zantac cancer attorney from Zanes Law. We accept dangerous and defective drug cases from injured parties nationwide and handle these cases on a contingency basis.