Zantac Cancer Lawsuit
Popular heartburn drug found to have potentially carcinogenic ingredient.
If you or a loved one took Zantac and developed cancer, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact the Kishish Law Group for a free and confidential case evaluation and find out how you can join the Zantac lawsuit. Complete our contact form or call us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that ranitidine medicines, including heartburn drugs sold under the name "Zantac," have an impurity that may cause cancer. In mid-September, the FDA published a statement to alert patients and doctors that the agency had found dangerous levels of N-nitrodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac and related products.
People who have taken Zantac are now suing the manufacturers of the drug, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim. Plaintiffs say that the drug manufacturers knew or should have known that Zantac contained high levels of NDMA, a chemical linked to cancer. If you or a loved one took Zantac and then developed cancer, filing a lawsuit may help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with your suffering. Lawsuits can also help send a strong message to big pharmaceutical companies that they should ensure that their products do not cause harm before selling them to the public.
What is Zantac?
Zantac is a popular heartburn medicine available over the counter. People often take Zantac to relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion or sour stomach. When the drug works properly, it inhibits the amount of acid created by the stomach to prevent and relieve heartburn. Zantac was first sold in the United States in 1983 and became the first drug to total $1 billion in sales. It remains a widely popular heartburn drug.
Recent tests have shown that the drug may contain dangerous levels of NDMA, more than 26,000 times the permissible intake level.
What is NDMA?
NDMA is a probable human carcinogen. NDMA is a volatile, yellow liquid that emits toxic fumes. It is a byproduct of several industrial processes and present in some foods. Its primary use is in cancer research, where scientists use the chemical to cause cancer in lab animals.
Besides Zantac and other ranitidine drugs, NDMA has also been found in some versions of valsartan, a blood-pressure drug.
What are the symptoms of NDMA exposure?
NDMA exposure can cause liver damage, and studies have linked the chemical to a variety of cancers. Overexposure to NDMA has been linked to the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
- Cramps
- Dizziness
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms after taking Zantac or a Zantac-like ranitidine drug, you should consult a medical professional. Do not quit taking any medication you have been prescribed without first consulting your doctor. Scientific studies have also linked NDMA exposure to a variety of cancers, including the following:
- Bladder cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Small intestine cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
What does the Zantac lawsuit say?
Plaintiffs accuse Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim of creating and promoting a product that they knew or should have known could cause cancer. It is unlawful to conceal safety defects in a product and market it to the public as safe. Plaintiffs accuse the manufacturers of Zantac of deceiving the public about the safety of Zantac and hiding the fact that the drug may contain a probable human carcinogen.
Has there been a recall of ranitidine?
Yes. The FDA has announced the manufacturers of generic Zantac-like drugs have chosen to voluntarily recall their medicines available over the counter. You may have seen news stories that say that major retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart have pulled ranitidine drugs from their shelves at the suggestion of manufacturers of Zantac-like generic drugs. Some retailers have chosen to stop selling ranitidine products altogether after the FDA's announcement that the drugs could contain a probable human carcinogen.
Do I have a Zantac case?
Contacting a lawyer is the best way to determine whether you have a Zantac case. A lawyer is in the best position to evaluate your facts and circumstances and help you secure your maximum recovery. The experienced lawyers and staff at the Kishish Law Group can help. We will listen to your story and assist you in deciding your legal path forward. Our case evaluations are free and confidential. Contact us today for more information on the Zantac lawsuit by completing our contact form or calling us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.
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Speak with a Zantac Lawyer
If you were prescribed Zantac and developed cancer, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
Reach out to Kishish Law Group immediately to find out your legal options.
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