What is ZANTAC?

“Zantac” is just the brand name of a popular heartburn drug called ranitidine. So we will just use the name Zantac to loosely refer to all ranitidine products. Zantac can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over-the-counter, for different digestive issues. Zantac is produced by a bunch of drug companies you know (Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Boehringer, etc.) and a bunch of generic drug manufacturers that you have probably never heard of. You have also likely been told by now that generic drug companies are generally immune to lawsuits (yes and no – but you likely will have to prove that you were not taking generic Zantac only). In addition, you may have been taking combinations of different types of Zantac over several years, and you obviously did not save all of your Zantac receipts. All of this starts to seem complicated, but you have to break it down into more manageable parts.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include lack of coordination, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Despite these very troubling findings, the FDA had a relatively restrained reaction and suggested that some of the high NDMA levels may have been produced by the testing methods employed (basically saying that the samples were subject to high temperatures during testing that may have caused the ranitidine to break down into NDMA). Many experts sharply disagree with the FDA’s initial position and, indeed, manufacturers and distributors have engaged in massive voluntary recalls and been forced to conduct their own ongoing testing. Further, numerous lawsuits have already been filed across the nation and are set to be consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation.

Before taking this medicine
If you have been taking prescription-strength Zantac: Before you stop taking the medicine, ask your doctor about safer treatment options. If you have been taking over-the-counter (OTC) Zantac: Stop taking the medicine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about other approved OTC stomach acid reducers. Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed. Before using any OTC medicine to reduce stomach acid, ask a doctor or pharmacist if the medicine is safe for you if you have other medical conditions or allergies.

Popular FAQ

How long does it take Zantac to work?

If you are taking Zantac for gastric reflux you should notice improvement within 1 to 2 weeks.

If you are taking it for heartburn you should notice improvement within 24 hours.

If you are treating an ulcer, it may take up to 8 weeks for the ulcer to heal. You should notice improvement within 6 weeks.

Before taking this medicine

If you have been taking prescription-strength Zantac: Before you stop taking the medicine, ask your doctor about safer treatment options.

If you have been taking over-the-counter (OTC) Zantac: Stop taking the medicine, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about other approved OTC stomach acid reducers.

Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

Before using any OTC medicine to reduce stomach acid, ask a doctor or pharmacist if the medicine is safe for you if you have other medical conditions or allergies.

How should I take Zantac?

Because Zantac has been withdrawn from the market in the U.S., some of the contents of this leaflet are intended for historical purposes only.

Take Zantac exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

It may take up to 8 weeks before your ulcer heals. Keep using your medications as directed and call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks.

Your doctor may recommend an antacid to help relieve pain. Carefully follow your doctor's directions about the type of antacid to use, and when to use it.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What to avoid
You should not stop taking prescription-strength Zantac until you ask your doctor to prescribe a different medication. Talk with doctor as soon as possible about how best to treat your condition. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase the risk of damage to your stomach.


ZANTAC Testing

Based upon recent testing by a popular independent laboratory and a resulting petition filed with the FDA, there are claims that Zantac (ranitidine) causes high levels of Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) exposure in patients. Essentially, the claims are that, aside from this testing, recent studies have confirmed that the unstable molecules of the medication break down in the digestive tract to create harmful levels of NDMA (especially if the ranitidine comes into contact with nitrites in the digestive tract). Based upon these claims, significant NDMA exposure could result from taking brand name or generic ranitidine products, regardless of where they were manufactured. NDMA is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a compound that is probably carcinogenic to humans, and by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) as a compound reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. In fact, NDMA is actually used in the research laboratory setting to induce cancer in rats. Similar types of NDMA exposure have been linked to various primary cancers, including:


  • Stomach

  • Colorectal

  • Esophageal

  • Liver

  • Pancreatic

  • Prostate (early onset)

  • Leukemia

  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

  • Multiple Myeloma

Roundup Recall

Zantac Criteria for Leads

(a)Not Represented by another attorney for Ranitidine (Zantac)-related claims Ø U.S. Residency and used Ranitidine in the United States Ø No Generics Ø Did not primarily use Ranitidine (Zantac) in or live in Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, or Puerto Rico.
(b)Took Zantac for at least 1 year
(c)Diagnosed with one of the following cancers 2011 or later : Failing to report within a reasonable amount of time may result in your claim not being honoured.

  • 1. Prostate
  • 2. Under 69
  • 3. Pancreatic
  • 4. Esophageal
  • 5. No throat
  • 6. No Achalasia
  • 7. Stomach
  • 8. No H. Pylori
  • 9. Breast
  • 10. No Family History
  • 11. Liver
  • 12. No Hep B or C
  • 13. Bladder
  • 14. Colorectal
  • 15. Kidney Lung

(d)No Smokers
(e)Must not have developed qualifying cancer as a result of non-qualifying cancer Ø Was diagnosed at least 1 year after date of first use of Zantac Ø Must be diagnosed with qualifying injury within 5 years of last taking Zantac Ø Diagnosed with qualifying injury within the last 10 years (2011 or later ) Ø Death cases within last 10 years.
(f)No death cases from NY, Alabama, Idaho, and Michigan.