Nitrosamines are a chemical most of us are exposed to in minute quantities. Nitrosamines can be found in the water we drink, the meats we grill, and the dairy products and produce we eat. However, studies have exposed a link to an increased cancer risk in people who are exposed to great quantities of nitrosamines over an extended period.
How could such exposure occur? One potential way is through contaminated drugs that a person might consume every day for months or even years. Not only has the issue caught the attention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it is leading to thousands of legal claims.
FDA bans on nitrosamines in medications
The FDA has already recalled numerous medications for containing unacceptable amounts of nitrosamines. Some of these medications are household names such as Chantix and Zantac.
In some these cases, the drugs were pulled from store shelves temporarily. In other cases, the FDA recommended patients continue using these drugs until their physician could find a suitable replacement. Immediately halting usage of some medications can cause significant health problems in the absence of a replacement drug.
The FDA has also requested drug manufacturers to examine their products for the presence of nitrosamines. If a risk is found, manufacturers have until October to perform follow-up testing and notify the FDA of modifications made.
As of now, thousands of legal claims have been filed by people who suffered harm after using drugs contaminated with nitrosamine. However, these lawsuits have seen mixed success, with questions raised on how the use of these drugs is specifically linked to the cancer the plaintiff suffered.
Still, when you are injured due to a defective drug, you do not need to wait for FDA action. You do have the right to pursue a lawsuit if appropriate. Drug manufacturers do not always put consumer safety first and should be held accountable when they prioritize profits over public health.