Do I Qualify for a Zantac Lawsuit?
Zantac is an over-the-counter heartburn medication that was also available in stronger forms as a prescription medication to treat more serious stomach and ulcer conditions. Once one of the world’s most popular drugs, Zantac was pulled from shelves in September 2019. The move came after Valisure, an online pharmacy, alerted the U.S Food and Drug Administration that it found the cancer-causing chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in batches of Zantac. In addition, the company noted finding NDMA in generic forms of the medication, ranitidine, as well. As a result, thousands of patients have filed hundreds of Zantac lawsuits against manufacturers like Sanofi.
In October 2024, GSK agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle thousands of cases alleging that the now discontinued version of the drug Zantac caused cancer. If you or a loved one took Zantac and were diagnosed with cancer, contact The Carlson Law Firm. We are continuing to investigate claims for Zantac-related cancers. A Zantac lawyer from our firm may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The Carlson Law Firm has more than 40 years of success in helping clients through the aftermath of personal injuries. In fact, our firm has the experience and resources to take on big pharma when dangerous drugs have caused injuries. Contact our firm today to discuss your legal options for holding Zantac manufacturers accountable.
What is Zantac?
Zantac (ranitidine hydrochloride) belongs to a class of drugs called histamine H2-receptor antagonists or H2 blockers. The drug was used to test and prevent ulcers in the first part of the small intestine and the stomach. Zantac was available as both over-the-counter and prescription to treat the following conditions:
- GERD
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- Ulcers
- Erosive Esophagitis
The drug was extremely effective in treating the above conditions. In most cases, patients could experience relief about 30 minutes after being taking Zantac orally. Typically, dosages varied between 75 and 150 mg tablets—depending on the patient’s condition and needs. However, some patients may have taken a once-daily dose of 300mg. The drug could be taken to treat symptoms as they occurred or in a once-daily dose of 300 mg.
If a doctor diagnosed you or a loved one with bladder or stomach cancer and you have taken Zantac to treat any of the above conditions, contact us right away. You may be eligible for compensation through a Zantac lawsuit.
What’s the Difference Between Zantac and Zantac 360?
Zantac made a reappearance on the shelves in 2021 with a product labeled Zantac 360. Zantac 360 is a safe alternative for earlier forms of Zantac. Famotidine is the active ingredient of Zantac 360 and has not been linked to NDMA. It works just as well as Zantac, but it is only available over the counter. Zantac 360 is not currently associated with any Zantac lawsuit, as it does not contain ranitidine.
What Do Zantac Lawsuits Allege?
Patients filing Zantac lawsuits allege that the manufacturer failed to warn about the potential cancer risks associated with Zantac. In fact, manufacturers failed to disclose that these drugs had unacceptable levels of NDMA which led to thousands of patients developing cancer.
The Carlson Law Firm is filing individual lawsuits on behalf of clients who have been injured by Zantac. Filing a lawsuit against Zantac manufacturers will allow you to collect compensation to help you cover medical expenses, lost wages and other losses you suffered as the result of your cancer diagnosis.
Are There Other Health Issues Associated with Zantac?
In addition to cancer, doctors frequently diagnosed people taking Zantac with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). PPH is a rare lung disorder that leads to high blood pressure in the lungs. This often happens when blood vessels in the lungs have narrowed. When this occurs, the pressure in the pulmonary arteries goes above normal levels.
Further, patients taking Zantac were also more likely to get a Crohn’s disease diagnosis. This disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It causes the digestive tract to become inflamed. Patients may experience severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps and weight loss.
Who are Zantac Lawsuits Being Filed Against?
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against ranitidine manufacturers including the following:
- Sanofi
- Chattem
- Pfizer
- GSK
- Boehringer
Why Was Zantac Taken Off the Market?
The company Valisure discovered NDMA in its routine testing of Zantac in June 2019. Later that year, in September, the company filed a detailed petition with the FDA asking for the agency to issue a recall for all products containing ranitidine. The company’s findings were the result of inherent instability in ranitidine molecules. In its statement, it said that because the ranitidine molecule itself was affected, all lots of the drug were contaminated. Zantac could “generate very high levels of NDMA in the human body.”
Millions of Americans were confused in the fall of 2019 when Zantac was removed from the market. Major drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens pulled Zantac and its generic versions from their shelves. Additionally, the over-the-counter drug was voluntarily recalled by several manufacturers who sold ranitidine. The recall stems from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announcement of preliminary tests showing the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine.
Was Zantac Limited Globally Because of a Link to Cancer?
Yes. Several countries around the world have taken steps to restrict sales of Zantac and generics made from ranitidine. Currently, the FDA is working with several international organizations to review ranitidine medications and determine how much of a risk the impurities pose to users.
Further, the FDA has asked ranitidine manufacturers to perform tests on their individual products and send samples to the FDA for additional testing.
How Long has Zantac Been on the Market?
As of January 2020, thousands of Zantac lawsuits have been filed. These suits come 37 years after Zantac first appeared on the market. Zantac was introduced in 1983 as the first member of a new class of medications known as histamine H2-receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers. Since its introduction, the medication has been marketed as a safe treatment for heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, GERD and other conditions.
Over the nearly 40 years since its introduction to the market, it has become one of the most popular ways to treat heartburn conditions. In fact, doctors wrote more than 15 million prescriptions for ranitidine every year. This is in addition to the millions of patients that bought it over the counter.
What Kind of Cancer Does NDMA-contaminated Zantac Cause?
Millions of prescriptions for Zantac have been written for patients suffering from heartburn and other serious stomach conditions. Revelations that Zantac is contaminated with NDMA raises serious health concerns because the substance is a human carcinogen. NDMA is linked to all of the cancers associated with Zantac:
- bladder cancer
- esophageal cancer
- gastric cancer
- liver cancer
- pancreatic cancer
NDMA is also found in liquid rocket fuel, softeners, lubricants and several other products. The unintentional creation of NDMA may occur through specific chemical reactions. It is often the byproducts of pesticides, tire manufacturing and fish processing. Researchers have known for decades that exposure to NDMA can increase the risk of cancer.
How Does NDMA Get into Zantac?
The active ingredient of Zantac is ranitidine, which researchers have found to be unstable. In fact, ranitidine has a molecular structure that may inherently react with itself. As a result, ranitidine can produce dangerous levels of NDMA when exposed to high temperatures inside the body or during transport, such as in a hot car or truck.
If you believe you may have a Zantac lawsuit against a ranitidine manufacturer, contact us today. Our firm has a qualified lawsuit attorney who can help you determine your next steps.
Why are Zantac Lawsuits Being Filed?
In September 2019, the FDA reported the discovery of NDMA in Zantac (ranitidine). Ranitidine is the active ingredient in Zantac, a common heartburn treatment. In its announcement, the FDA found the levels of NDMA contamination were more than 3,000 times higher than the FDA’s limit.
Experts say that there is a discrepancy in lab testing and the level of NDMA may be significantly higher when ranitidine is introduced into the human body.
The lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim assert that these big pharma companies concealed the Zantac link to cancer from millions of people. These companies put profits over people and put millions of people at risk. This amounts to fraud and allowed the companies to generate $1 billion in sales off of Zantac—the first drug to ever do so.
If a doctor diagnosed you or a loved one with stomach, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, or bladder cancer after taking Zantac, contact The Carlson Law Firm. Our qualified legal staff has the knowledge and resources to help you these companies accountable through a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one have been taking Zantac for at least one year and have developed one of the above cancers, contact our firm today. One of our qualified Zantac Lawsuit Attorneys can help you recover damages for:
- Lost income (past and future)
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Permanent injuries
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one are living with the consequences of a Zantac drug manufacturer’s negligence, contact The Carlson Law Firm. We can help you determine the best course of action in your Zantac lawsuit.
How Much Does a Zantac Lawsuit Cost?
Retaining a Ranitidine lawsuit attorney through The Carlson Law Firm will cost you nothing out of pocket. We work on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid unless your case is successful.
Contact a Zantac Lawyer
If you or a loved one has taken Zantac and developed cancer, contact the Zantac Cancer Lawyers at The Carlson Law Firm at 866-515-7369 to schedule a free consultation. Our legal team can help you determine if you should move forward with a claim or lawsuit against Zantac manufacturers.
The Carlson Law Firm Can Help with Your Ranitidine Lawsuit
Patients should be able to trust that their medications are safe. The benefits of taking a drug should outweigh the risk to your health. However, if medication increases the likelihood of developing certain cancers, patients have a right to pursue a legal course of action.
The Carlson Law Firm has been handling lawsuits against drug companies for more than four decades. We are a leading, nationally recognized personal injury law firm with a successful track record of representing victims of dangerous drugs. Additionally, our firm has several nationally recognized trial lawyers that are ready to ensure your Zantac lawsuit gets you a favorable recovery. Further, The Carlson Law Firm has the resources to ensure all legal options are explored on your behalf.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries as a result of NDMA-contaminated Zantac, contact us today.