Dr. Reddy’s Generic Zantac Recall Issued Due to Microbial Contamination

Irvin Jackson

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Concerns about potential microbial contamination have led to a recall for several lots of generic Zantac sold by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, which were sold at Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Supervalu stores.

The generic Zantac recall was announced by the FDA in its weekly enforcement report on August 21.

Although there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled drug, a lot of raw material used to manufacture the generic version of Zantac tested positive for Pseudomonas sp, a pathogen which can cause respiratory tract infections and other types of infections.

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Zantac is used to treat heartburn with acid indigestion, as well as stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other stomach acid production problems.

The recall affects Ranitidine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP, 150 mg, OTC. The recalled pills were sold at Wal-Mart Stores as Equate brand Maximum Strength Acid Reducer in a 65-count bottle with NDC 49035-404-61 and lot numbers 505582 with an expiration date of 03/13, 5056317, with an expiration date of 03/15, and 5056507 with an expiration date of 04/15. They were sold by Supervalu Inc. as Equaline brand maximum strength heartburn relief with NDC 41163-404-61 with a lot number of 7956571C, with an expiration date of 04/15. They were also sold by Walgreen as Wal-Zan brand 150, MAXIMUM STRENGTH, in 24-count bottles with NDC 0363-0404-34 with a lot number of 7956572A, with an expiration date of 04/15.

The company sent out a letter earlier this month to distributers to alert them to the recall. Neither the FDA nor Dr. Reddy’s has announced information on whether consumers can return the recalled generic Zantac pills for a refund.

Irvin Jackson
Written by: Irvin Jackson

Senior Legal Journalist & Contributing Editor

Irvin Jackson is a senior investigative reporter at AboutLawsuits.com with more than 30 years of experience covering mass tort litigation, environmental policy, and consumer safety. He previously served as Associate Editor at Inside the EPA and contributes original reporting on product liability lawsuits, regulatory failures, and nationwide litigation trends.

Tags: Infection, Walgreens, Walmart, Zantac

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27 Comments

Maggie
I have had RX Omeprszole and also used Equate Ranitine. I’ve suffered constant diarrhea for the past month. My appetite is way down and I’m losing weight .daily. Fortunately I see my PCP on the 21st of Jan. and in the mean time will quit these meds. Also been having at one Alkaseltzer a day
Donald
I have been taking this drug twice a day from the Verteans Admin,as I am a VET.I came down with a real bad breathing problem and a kidney infection.was put on a antibiotic .just today recived a letter from the VA telling me to return it .date today 11/29/2019
Veronica
Yes I have bought Zantac from WAL MART for the past 8 years. I use them everyday . I have had bronchitis with in the 8 years twice, and sinise infection , way to many to count, I still have it Daly . I will have to get to my doctor ASAP as well.
L X
09/26/2019 0650 AM. NDC 49035-404-61 I have strong pain in my lower abdomen, Urine looks normal color, but the pain woke me up.Right in the middle of bladder!! The recall was given in 2013-15!! Why is Equate/Walmart still selling them?! I took one pill last night due to my acidity. I may have to go to the doctor asap?! How does a recall work then? NDC49035-404-61
Shirley
I have been taking ranitidine I purchased from Sams with a product code of 79L800831 #xpire date of 08/2020 Is this one affected.
sergio
i took the equate brand(walmart) for many years until they took it of the counter, went to the check out to find out . No posting or warning!!! so that explain my many visits to the ent and even got a second opinion at Ochsners. I nearly had bronchitis for all of 2012 and 2013. back and forths, i coughed so much, by back is not the same.
Ronald
I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’ve had severe diarrhea since july 20th 2013 only to realize it was the pills after I ran out in october …but still have diarrhea & the most god awful odor in gas & stool …
Ronald
I am like another post Melinda on september 16 …posted .. …I buy Simply right brand ranitidine bought at sam’s club …but the same manufacture Dr.reddy’s I became sick on July 20th .with fever flu like symptoms & diarrhea severe ….until I ran out of this medication in october as I buy a tin pack …total of 190 pills …& it is even very worse & severe diarrhea if I drink alcohol I think it has damaged an organ like my liver …& a huge amount of gas & stool has this awful very distinct odor always the same smell …it’s awful i’m still having the smell in my stool & gas.. only noticed it got some what better (the diarrhea) when I ran out of this OTC meds …is what made me think it had to be the pills …I’ve felt like I’m dieting since july as I have no insurance to go to the doctor …
curt
I have used this otc for several years I had no ill side effects till recently I just wish Dr. reddy would just suck it up and say they put out a bad batch of pills and say contact us so we can find out if your problems are related to the use of this drug
wendy
I have read the lot numbers and exp. dates…I have bottles with lot #79306433 exp.07/2015….79306115c exp.07/2015….just want to make sure they are safe to take. Hope to get an answer soooon!!!
yvonne
It is no little wonder I am not getting well. Looks like I have been poisoning myself twice a day ( doctors orders 150 mg x 2 ) Just want I needed to go along with oral surgery.
M Glenda
I too have taken Equate Acid Reducer for a couple of years. August 27, 2013 I went to the Dr. with a sinus infection which became an upper respirator problem . It has gotten worse even with Azithromycin and other over the counter meds I was taking. Went back to DR, did chest xray and different med. Am better, but can\’t get well. A few weeks ago I tried to buy more Equate Acid Reducer at 2 different WalMarts and learned they had pulled it. Although they said nothing wrong with the product just the packaging. Last week it was back on shelf and last night I opened the new bottle, only to find it to be a different color. Although the numbers on the bottle are not what they have on the computer, it is in the same time frame. I called WalMart, they knew nothing, told me to call 800 number on the box. They knew nothing about a recall, but color changed because they changed the company that makes it. My old was Pink and the new one is more a dark rose. What is yours? I can\’t remember what it had been before. The computer says the recall reason was \’Microbial contamination of non-sterial products. A lot of Raw material used was positive for PSEUDOMONAS SP, which is Bacterial.\’
Samantha
Let’s just hurry and get these back on the shelf! I’ll deal with the respiratory issues, it’s the heartburn I want to live without!
Jody
First, I must say that this product, when not contaminated, works wonders for my heartburn. I have bad bad ulcers and I take 150 mg as directed daily. I was originally prescribed Nexium but can not afford due to no insurance. So, this has been my go to drug, for quite sometime, now. However, I have been fighting an upper respiratory infection along with a sinus infection, which as caused me to suffer from a sever ear infection. Not sure, if it is the medicine that caused it or just the time of the year, because my whole family has caught it and none of them take this medicine. But, I would greatly appreciate any updated information on this topic and what side effects I should be concerned about regarding the repercussions of a possible contamination. An email, letter by mail, phone call, or even mass notification to those of us who have been long time consumers of this medicine would be highly thoughtful of the makers, distributors, and/or retailers. I feel someone should let us, the consumer, know more about what is going on and if we need to be seeking medical advice, other than just a visit due to an unknown illness.
William
I\’ve takin this medicine for years and never had any problems. However I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago because my indigestion had gotten so bad I was vomiting shortly after eating. And she ran my blood work only to find I had a severe stomach infection, she put me on 2 different antibiotics that I just stopped taking. I\’m wondering if this recall is to blame.
Melinda
I have a bottle with NDC 49035-404-61 but the lot is 7948401 expiration date of 06/2013 – were these affected? I had a fever for two weeks and diarrhea for weeks. The Doctor has been unable to determine what is going on with me. Claims it is some kind of mysterious virus. Questions are as follows: Can this be from this meds? Should I keep this medication in case I need to show my Doctor? Is anyone going to answer these consumer concerns? Why is there no listing on the shelves about the recall. I finally asked the pharmacist when I went to several Wal-Marts throughout Denver and none had it. I finally got the light bulb that they were pulled – there should be a sign posting this. Why has Wal-Mart not responded to our questions and concerns?
Sheila
I tried to buy more of this brand of equate which I havele taken for several months again today and when I got to the register with it the lady said I could not buy it. So why is it still on the shelf. Guess I better get to the doctor because I have a lung infection as well as bladder anf GI discomforts and I know pseudomonas is diffiuult to treat. Again why is it still on the shelf>\?
Cheryl
My husband takes these regularly for his heartburn due to Barretts Syndrome. When the recall happened, he suffered horribly because Wal-Marts version is the only one that seems to help him. We found a bottle of the 150mg stashed behind the Zantac and bought it because he has been pitiful without them, and this was 2 weeks ago. He has not been sick, as a matter of fact…. his heartburn is so much better now that he has some again. I do find it amazing how many people look for medicines to be an excuse for a common illness such as a cold or bronchitis. It is getting cooler, tis the season to start getting sick. Not every illness has to do with a medication and they sure don’t merit seeking legal action over a respiratory infection. I have had hundreds of those, I am alive and well still. They recall stuff as a preventative measure, not necessarily because anyone has gotten ill.
cynthia
so update on my health at this time I went to DR they are treating me for pnemiona treating this with LEVOFLOXACIN 750mg for 8 days we wre on day 5 with no change go in Tuesday to set up scope to look in my gut from sever pain (I have an ulser in there) they will be doing a swab to check for pseudomonas like I said all my labs had came back just fine temp of 99.5 when I went in no sign of infection in lab work but the chest X ray came back pnemiona so after the do my scope I will be contacting a attorney if this comes back positive and it is looking like it will they said if not the blood work would have came back showing the infection I will keep posting what I find out right here will be back after scope is done
Bobby
I’ve had a bad respiratory infection for going on a month now, I’ve took 2 rounds of antibiotics, then had to go to the emergency room and the doctor twice and still trying to get over it, the whole time taking this med (Wal-mart) zantac that is recalled, but just now found out it was recalled and looks like this med is what is causing my sickness and ALL the money out of my pocket, and no one INFORMED me this med was recalled????? I just happened to go to walmart to get somemore and it was gone so I asked about it and they said it was recalled but couldn’t tell me why, so I did some research and found this. I need to know if this will go away since I quit taking the med or what I need to do????? Someone should be help responsable for everyone that has gotton sick from this and for all there Doctors Bills, and Hospital Bills……………..
Dennis
When will they be available again?
CYNTHIA
ME AND MY BOYFRIEND HAVE BEEN TAKING THEM FOR 4 YEARS I WAS IN THE EMERGINCY ROOM LAST NIGHT WITH STOMACH PAIN SO BAD I COULD NOT EAT OR DRINK FOR 3 DAYS WAS DEHIDRATED AND HAVE CHEST CONGESTION SO BAD I CANT CLEAN OR EVEN WALK AROUNG WITHOUT GOING INTO A CAUGHING FIT MY BOYFRIEND IS DOWN TODAY WITH HIS STOMACH SO WE WENT TO WAL-MART TO GET SOME STOMACH PILLS HOPE N IT WOULD HELP BUT INSTED THEY TOLD US IT HAD BEEN RECALLED SO HERE I AM WITH THIS MESSAGE PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME ON WHAT TO BE TESTED FOR OR IF THIS WILL ALL GO AWAY WITH TIME AND I NEED AWNSERS LIKE ASAP WE ARE BOTH IN BAD SHAPE THANKS CINDY MILLER ALSO LEFT KIDNEY PAIN BUT UREN TEST CAME BACK FINE NOT SURE IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT OR NOT
anthony
I would just like to know when they will be available again, I have been out for a few weeks now, and every time I ask someone at walmart when they will be back in stock they say that they do not know. I did not even know there was a recall on them until I read this article. you would also think that when I asked about them at walmart they would have told me about the recall since obviously I have been taking these pills.
linda
Have a serious infection in sinus, is there any chance this, has to do with this, what test, can be taken to find out, the med’s they have given do not help, please let me know. Linda
Joseph
I use to have heart burn all the time but two year ago i started taking these equate acid reducer and the heart burn stop they are the best and when they stop having them at walmart my heart burn started back. They really work for my heart burn
ronald
i have been taking equate brand generic zantac for the [ast 3 to 4 years. since july have had sinus issues – respiratory issues.
Sergio
I have taken the wal mart ‘ equate brand for as long as i remember. I started with the 75 mg and then changed to the 150 mg, very effective for my heartburn. I have also had many recurrent bronchial type infections for the past 5 + yrs.

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