Zantac Cancer Lawsuit Attorneys
Zantac, also known by its chemical name ranitidine, is a popular drug for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux. It has been used for decades and has become one of the most widely used drugs on the market, responsible for $1 billion in sales.
If you or a loved one have taken Zantac, you should be aware that this medication has been found to contain high levels of a cancer-causing contaminant called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). In late 2019, the FDA learned that Zantac and many ranitidine medications contained unacceptable levels of NDMA, and began to announce several voluntary recalls of these medications. On April 1, 2020, however, the FDA requested the removal of all ranitidine products from the market, due to the health risks they pose.
The medical liability lawyers at Gold Law Firm are suing the makers of Zantac to hold them accountable for the damage this drug has caused patients and consumers, and their role in concealing the deadly potential of their product. If you developed cancer after taking Zantac or another ranitidine medication, contact our dedicated product liability attorneys to learn about your case. We have the extensive experience and resources needed to take on large pharmaceutical companies and win. Let us help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us today at (901) 244-5003 to discuss how this lawsuit could affect you. We’re ready to fight for you.
Why You Need A Lawyer
If you have developed cancer after taking Zantac, or another ranitidine medication, you may be eligible to sue the makers of these drugs. Cancer is an incredibly difficult ordeal to go through. You are already concerned with your own health and treatment regimen, as well as your family’s well-being. You need a dedicated attorney on your side who understands pharmaceutical liability law to hold the big drug companies accountable.
A good attorney can organize all your medical records and history of taking ranitidine, line up expert witnesses, and develop a solid case for your compensation based on all the evidence. They will leverage the strength of the case they develop to negotiate assertively with insurance companies or opposing counsel to secure the full compensation you’re owed, so that you can focus on your own recovery.
Why Hire Gold Law Firm?
The top-notch product liability lawyers at Gold Law Firm have represented thousands of clients facing difficult legal challenges just like yours. When you hire our firm, you get a team of advocates who will fight relentlessly for your rights against the big pharmaceutical companies. We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries. You can read some of our reviews here.
Most importantly, we care about our clients. We know each and every client on a first-name basis, and when you work with our firm, you work with the attorneys managing the details of your case, not a case manager whose checking off boxes.
Our attorneys have received top honors from professional organizations such as Martindale-Hubbell, who named us a Client Champion, Avvo, who honored us with the Clients’ Choice award, Super Lawyers, and Expertise. And we belong to and regularly teach classes for the Memphis Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.
You deserve knowledgeable, skilled legal representation that can get you the compensation you need to get through this difficult period and move forward with your life.
What Is Zantac?
Ranitidine hydrochloride, sold under the popular brand name Zantac, is a medication that decreases the production of stomach acid. Until recently, it was available both as a prescription and over the counter.
Zantac is marketed in the U.S. by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, although several other pharmaceutical companies also produce ranitidine products affected by the recall. Zantac has been a popular antacid medication since the early 1980s. Zantac has been commonly used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, ulcers, and other stomach and gastrointestinal disorders such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dosages vary between 75 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg daily.
Popular generic versions of Zantac include ranitidine tablets from Rite Aid and Walmart, and Wal-Zan from Walgreens.
Links Between Zantac And Cancer
Zantac has been found to both contain and generate a chemical known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. Studies have shown that ranitidine will slowly break down into NDMA during storage. In addition, NDMA is a byproduct of the processes that occur when a person ingests ranitidine. Numerous studies* over the years have identified the cancer-causing properties of NDMA. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that “NDMA is clearly carcinogenic. There is overwhelming evidence that NDMA is mutagenic and clastogenic.” This means that it can change and disrupt genetic material, leading to cancerous growth.
Along with the WHO, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency consider NDMA to be a carcinogen. NDMA is found in some foods such as milk and sausage, but at lower levels than in Zantac. The FDA has established an allowable daily limit of 96 nanograms of NDMA, but testing has found more than 2.5 million nanograms in each 150mg tablet of Zantac, more than 26,000 times the FDA-approved amount.
The links between NDMA and cancer are so strong that the FDA announced on April 1 of this year that all manufacturers must withdraw Zantac and generic ranitidine drugs from the market, effective immediately.
*NDMA studies:
- Nitrosamine, nitrate and nitrite in relation to gastric cancer: a case-control study in Marseille, France. (1995)
- Nitrosamine intake and gastric cancer risk. (1995)
- Consumption of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosodimethylamine and the risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancer. (1995)
- Risk of colorectal and other gastro-intestinal cancers after exposure to nitrate, nitrite and N-nitroso compounds: a follow-up study. (1999)
- Exposure to high concentrations of nitrosamines and cancer mortality among a cohort of rubber workers. (2000)
- N-Nitroso compounds and cancer incidence: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk Study. (2011)
- Dietary N-nitroso compounds and risk of colorectal cancer: a case-control study in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, Canada. (2014)
Researchers have also conducted studies of the effects of NDMA on animals which show links to cancer:
- When mice were given NDMA orally, they developed cancers of the kidneys, bladder, liver, and lungs.
- Among rats, cancers were observed in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and lungs.
- Hamsters developed cancers of the pancreas, stomach, and liver.
- Guinea pigs developed liver and lung cancers.
- Scientists observed cancer in the livers and lungs of rabbits.
Other methods of exposure, such as inhalation and subcutaneous and abdominal injection, produced cancerous growth in the kidneys, liver, lungs, nasal cavity, and stomach of the test subjects.
About Sanofi, The Maker of Zantac
Founded in 1973, Sanofi S.A. is the French pharmaceutical company that has been selling over-the-counter Zantac in the United States since 2017. Mounting evidence indicates that Sanofi and its partner Boehringer Ingelheim knowingly concealed the carcinogenic risks posed by Zantac, even as the drug was bringing in an unprecedented $1 billion in sales. These sales would likely have been much lower if the public had known about the risks that came with using Zantac.
Citing the drug’s links to cancer, CVS and Walgreens both pulled Zantac from their shelves in September of last year. In October, Sanofi finally announced their own recall of the cancer-causing medication.
It’s important to know that there are several manufacturers of ranitidine medications besides Sanofi, who are required to recall their ranitidine products. If you’re taking medication for heartburn, acid reflux, ulcers, or other gastrointestinal disorders, check the ingredients for ranitidine and talk to your doctor about ranitidine-free alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some of Zantac’s Other Common Side Effects?
Possible side effects of Zantac include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches (possibly severe)
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Impotence
- Decreased sex drive
- Trouble experiencing orgasms
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Swollen or tender breasts
Zantac may also increase a patient’s risk of developing pneumonia. Those with liver disease, kidney disease, or porphyria are advised to contact their doctors before taking Zantac.
What Types of Cancer Does Zantac Cause?
NDMA, the cancerous substance in Zantac, has been linked with a number of different types of cancer, including:
- Stomach cancer
- Intestinal cancers
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Colorectal cancer
Furthermore, animal studies have shown that when present during pregnancy, NDMA can cause complications or death to the fetus.
How Will I Know If I Have Cancer?
Cancer is a group of many different diseases. Cancer causes cells to grow abnormally, with the potential to spread to other areas of the body. It is the second most common cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease. Cancer can affect many different areas of the body, and the symptoms are many and varied. Here are some symptoms that may be present with different kinds of cancer:
- A persistent cough or blood in your saliva may indicate throat or lung cancer.
- Problems with bowel movements, bloody stool, or the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement after already having one could mean intestinal cancer.
- Unexplained extreme fatigue or weakness could be anemia (low red blood cell count), which is a symptom of bowel cancer.
- Changes in urination or bloody urine could indicate prostate cancer.
If you experience these symptoms, you should see a physician immediately. Cancer is a very serious disease, and its effects can be life-altering or deadly, especially if not treated early.
What Can I Be Compensated For In A Zantac Lawsuit?
The type of compensation available in your case will depend on your own experience with Zantac, but compensation from a lawsuit of this type can help with certain typical costs related to your health and well-being, including:
- Medical bills to cover cancer treatment and related costs
- Costs associated with long-term care
- Lost wages due to time away from work during your illness
- Loss of household income
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
You should discuss the details of your situation with your attorney to determine what kinds of compensation you could expect in your own case.
Talk to A Medication Liability Attorney Today
Cancer is one of the most serious illnesses a person can face. It is a frightening situation to be in. We rely on the medication we take to make us better, not cause us harm. If you have developed cancer after taking Zantac, or another ranitidine medication, call the skilled lawyers at Gold Law Firm right away.
We can hold the makers of this drug accountable for the damage they’ve caused, and get you the compensation you need to pay for medical bills, time missed at work, and other expenses you may have because of this terrible disease. We can get through this together. Call us at (901) 244-5003 or fill out our contact form today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
