Many Americans have chosen Zantac regularly for conditions like acid reflux, heartburn, and ulcers over the years. A prescription or over-the-counter purchase of Zantac pills was simple. Your pharmacist would provide you with the same drug, more or less, whether you ask for it as Ranitidine or Zantac. But now, the various ongoing litigations have made life difficult for people attached to the once commonly found OTC drug.
When clinical studies revealed that the ranitidine tablets contain NDMA N-nitrosodimethylamine, a potentially carcinogenic substance, everything for Zantac and its producers started changing. The Zantac medicine was subsequently removed from the market and its sale and usage were rigorously forbidden by the FDA in late 2019.
In addition to possibly causing various types of cancer, NDMA also has an impact on several other organs. Due to this, there have been several complaints and lawsuits filed by individuals who used Zantac to treat heartburn and afterward developed pancreatic cancer.
We shall discover how Zantac use over a long period has been connected to health problems in this article. We will also go over some reasons why you should take a different medication for heartburn and stomach issues rather than Zantac, at least not in its former formulation.
How Long-Term Zantac Use Has Been Linked To Health Decline
It’s terrifying when a well-known, highly regarded drug is shown to be dangerous. Especially for everyday Zantac users, learning about the connection between ranitidine and NDMA has been distressing.
There is currently no concrete proof connecting ranitidine (Zantac), which was linked to the cancer-causing ingredient NDMA, to cancer, even though the drug was recalled. Nonetheless, NDMA has been linked to some undesirable side effects and issues, such as:
- Headache
- Constipation and abdominal cramps
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Liver Enlargement
Before the link between Zantac and NDMA was discovered, it was already known to cause long-term adverse effects or health problems, such as:
Liver Diseases
There is evidence that jaundice, hepatitis, and cholestatic jaundice all cause reversible changes to liver function. Users have been urged to stop using Zantac right away if they suffer any of these side effects because liver failure has been linked to the medication. In some circumstances, the harm can be irreparable.
Cardiac Abnormalities
After taking Zantac for a long time, arrhythmias like tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, asystole, and extrasystole may develop. Common adverse reactions that disappear once the medication is stopped include heart palpitations and an increase in blood pressure.
Disorders of the Digestive System
Zantac may have adverse gastrointestinal effects since it decreases stomach acid, such as constipation or diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and acute pancreatitis. Rebound hypersecretion, which occurs when a patient stops taking the medication and their body starts producing more acid, affects some patients. You could instead take alternatives such as CBD capsules to help your digestive system function better.
Blood System Ailments
Zantac use has been linked to more serious agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, neutropenia, reversible anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and granulocytopenia. Possible conditions that may have long-term complications that include acquired immune hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, and marrow hypoplasia or aplasia.
Eye and Vision Problems
Vision haziness and variations in intraocular pressure are potential side effects, particularly with repeated use. The good news is that most of them can be reversed if the patient quits taking the medication.
Obstetrical Disorders
Zantac can result in temporary impotence and libido loss, as well as other problems with the reproductive system that are reversible. You can experience gynecomastia or galactorrhea, which call for additional care.
Kidney Disorders
Since Zantac is kidney-cleared, people who have the renal disease should use it with caution. Acute interstitial nephritis and nephrotoxicity have been observed because of Zantac’s use.
Why You Should Get A Zantac Alternative For Your Gastric Issues
Zantac won’t be available in stores for you to buy. This is due to the US FDA having recalled Zantac supplies in late 2019 due to worries regarding carcinogen components, affecting both local and foreign supplies. The over-the-counter sale of its generic equivalent is also prohibited.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the NDMA carcinogen, which led to the recall of Zantac, is a 2A carcinogen. The FDA requested that physicians stop promoting this medication for gastrointestinal problems after it concurred with the IARC’s conclusions.
According to the World Health Organization, exposure to high levels of NDMA can become a probable factor in both human and animal cancer development.
Final Words
In addition to the issues caused by the finding of the carcinogen NDMA, Zantac has been connected to several other health issues. We believe you now see why it is preferable to get different solutions for digestive issues since Zantac has been recalled because of its link to NDMA and cancer. Better still, you can start actively avoiding medications like Zantac by taking precautions to protect yourself from acquiring liver issues and other problems that are associated with them.
