Oral Intake of Ranitidine Associated With Bladder Cancer

As we presented in recent blog posts, the over-the-counter drug Zantac and other generic versions of the heartburn drug ranitidine have been taken off the shelves over growing concerns that the products may contain a cancer-causing substance. Valisure, an online pharmacy that analyzes drugs to verify their chemical contents before sending them to consumers, discovered that the drug, and others containing ranitidine, may produce potentially unsafe levels of n-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) - a hepatotoxic agent and carcinogen contaminant.

Considering the potential exposure to NDMA, the following types of cancer may be associated with long-term intake of Zantac or any other ranitidine product:

• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Testicular Cancer
• Uterine Cancer

Humans may be exposed to NDMA through a variety of sources, but the oral route is the primary human exposure pathway. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has currently provided safety limits for NDMA at 96 ng/day, but recent laboratory tests revealed that ranitidine products could have much higher levels.

Many Chemicals, Including N-Nitrosodimethylamine, Have Been Shown to Be Bladder Carcinogens in Experimental Animals

Animal studies have shown that N-nitrosamine chemicals are strong bladder carcinogens. The World Health Organization notes several animal studies that show that nitrosamines like NDMA cause multiple types of cancer, including bladder cancer, by manipulating certain genes that subsequently lead to errors in DNA replication, abnormal cell growth, and ultimately, tumors. Tumors were observed in several different routes of exposure or additional species. For example, intravesicular administration caused benign and malignant urinary-bladder tumors in female rats.

Studies dating back to 2016 concluded that following oral intake of ranitidine the urinary NDMA excreted over 24h increased 400-folds, suggesting a need to evaluate cancer risk from systemic exposure. Bladder cancer is associated with generalized mucosal changes involving all the organs covered with transitional epithelium, and it seems likely that this type of cancer is a consequence of exposure of the mucosa to carcinogens in the urine.

Researchers from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research tested urine from 50 healthy men and found that ten of those men had N-nitrosamines in their urine. NDMA is a nitrosamine compound classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on cancer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Furthermore, out of 4 samples from bladder cancer patients, 2 contained nitrosodibutylamine, another type of nitrosamine. The scientists noted that one of the possible sources of these chemicals included the ingestion of drugs with these substances in the composition.

Bladder Cancer Often Misdiagnosed as Urinary Tract Infection

Each year in the U.S., about 56,000 men and 18,000 women are affected by bladder cancer, making it the fourth most common cancer among men.

The treatment and prognosis of bladder cancer depend upon how far cancer has penetrated into the tissue of the bladder, and how abnormal the tumor cells and tumor tissue look under a microscope. If the tumor is invasive but has not yet spread outside the bladder, the 5-year survival rate of people with bladder cancer is over 60%.

Bladder cancer most often causes blood in the urine, also called hematuria. Other symptoms may include:

• Painful urination
• Urinary incontinence
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Pain in the lower back
• Passage of tissue fragments in urine
• Bone pain
• Feet swelling
• Weight loss

Because other diseases may cause similar symptoms, a definitive diagnosis is derived from various tests and medical procedures such as cystoscopy, biopsy, urine cytology, and imaging tests. If cancer is detected, further testing is done to determine if it has spread. A missed or delayed diagnosis can allow cancer to spread deeper into the bladder muscle or beyond the bladder into other organs.

Being aware of the potential symptoms can help ensure you take action and receive the necessary medical care as soon as possible. If you have been using ranitidine for a while you should get in touch with your doctor for an evaluation, especially if you experience symptoms of anemia like fatigue and weakness, abdominal pain, or unintentional weight loss. It will be helpful to consult your regular physician or another trusted medical professional to determine the individual health risks you could face.

Legal Claims for Bladder Cancer Caused by the Dangerous Chemical Found in Zantac

Following the wave of ranitidine recalls, many people have filed claims for financial compensation against the manufacturers of the most widely used drug to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers. The plaintiffs claim that the prolonged use of heartburn medication causes them severe illnesses and demands compensation for past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering caused by permanent or temporary disability.

Learning more about your legal rights can help reduce the power worry has over you and determine precisely how you will move forward. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with bladder or another cancer after taking Zantac and have questions you need to be answered, consult an experienced lawyer at Environmental Litigation Group for a free case review.