FDA Issued Recall after Finding High Levels of Known Human Carcinogen in Generic Ranitidine

The Zantac recall steadily grows as health officials continue to test batches of the popular heartburn medication and generic counterparts for the presence of carcinogens. The FDA’s most recent Zantac recall, issued on November 15, recalled all of Golden State Medical Supply’s ranitidine after finding dangerously high levels of Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a known human carcinogen.

The FDA first alerted the public about the presence of NDMA in Zantac and ranitidine, the generic for Zantac, on September 13^th. This instigated massive Zantac recalls and market withdrawals over the last couple months. Health officials at the FDA discovered several versions of the heartburn drug contained high levels of the carcinogen NDMA. NDMA has been the source of several drug recalls and market withdrawals over the last few years, including recalls for blood pressure medications like losartan and valsartan.

So far, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy are among some of the major retailers that have pulled Zantac and ranitidine medications from their shelves in caution of NDMA contamination.

Health officials indicate that ranitidine, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Zantac and generics, can convert into the known carcinogen inside the body or during drug transport and storage. With this knowledge, thousands of Zantac and generic ranitidine users fear developing cancer from their use of toxic heartburn medication.

This latest ranitidine recall impacts all lots and quantities distributed by Gold State Medical Supply that have not expired from the market yet. The FDA indicates that the batches of ranitidine contaminated by NDMA were manufactured and distributed by Novitium Pharma, LLC. According to the FDA, the following ranitidine lots and products have been recalled:

• Ranitidine HCl 150MG Capsules 500Ct Bottle
  • GSMS NDC: 51407-097-05
    • GSMS Lot #: GS023970 (Exp.10/31/2020), GS026108 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS026099 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS026838     (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS025702 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS027272     (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS027273 (Exp. 05/31/2021).
• Ranitidine HCl 300MG Capsules 100 Ct Bottle
  • GSMS NDC: 51407-098-01
    • GSMS Lot #: GS023971 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS025527 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS025526 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS026114     (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS025813 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS026189 (Exp. 10/31/2020), GS027555 (Exp. 07/31/2021), GS026190 (Exp. 05/31/2021), GS026220 (Exp. 05/31/2021), GS026584 (Exp. 05/31/2021), GS027139 (Exp. 05/31/2021), GS027554 (Exp. 05/31/2021).

If you took Zantac or generic ranitidine and were diagnosed with cancer, you need to talk to us. Contact the McGartland Law Firm today to speak with one of our legal professionals and learn about your legal rights; you may be eligible for financial compensation.