Worried About the Zantac Recall? Don’t Be, You Have Options.

By Dr. Ajay Goyal | October 8, 2019

Alternatives to GERD [Acid Reflux] Meds Amid the Zantac Recall

By now most people suffering from GERD [Acid Reflux] have heard about the Zantac recall. Zantac, a common heartburn drug, and its generic varieties, have been pulled from the shelves of major pharmacies after the FDA revealed findings that it contained a chemical that could be linked to cancer.

With the recall, we’ve gotten a lot of questions from patients who relied on Zantac and other prescriptions drugs to treat their heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD].

Many are concerned about the long-term viability of prescription and over the counter drugs with potential harmful effects.

Here at NJBC we offer several alternatives to acid reflux meds in the form of minimally invasive surgical intervention: LINX reflux management system and laparoscopic nissen fundoplication, as well as Bariatric surgery procedures (laparoscopy sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass) for obese patients with acid reflux.

We offer these options because the surgical treatment of GERD has proven to be a safe and effective option with proven benefits:

Eliminating the need for heartburn medications
Restoring the ability to eat your favorite foods again
Remaining symptom free 10 years after surgery for 90% of patients
Minimally invasive procedures have shorter recovery times and frequently allow a quicker return to work

No longer is surgical intervention for the treatment of GERD considered a last resort. With the recent FDA findings on Zantac and the removal of it from major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens and Walmart - these new surgical procedures, such as LINX, offer patients the choice of med-free long-term solutions with proven sustainable results.

If you have been diagnosed with GERD and are looking for alternative solutions to treatment, schedule a consultation with one of New Jersey Bariatric Center’s board-certified surgeons who will help you determine the best options. As with any surgery, anti-reflux procedures are associated with potential surgical risks that your surgeon will review with you.

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By: Dr. Ajay Goyal

Ajay Goyal, MD, FACS, is founder and director of the New Jersey Bariatric Center, a medical & surgical weight loss center with offices in Springfield, Somerville, Hoboken, East Brunswick, Sparta, and Totowa New Jersey. New Jersey Bariatric Center helps patients achieve long-term weight loss success through the most advanced bariatric surgery procedures, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures. New Jersey Bariatric Center’s approach to patient care has resulted in zero mortalities and a complication rate that is lower than the national average.