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Zantac Medication Linked to Cancer Risk: Numerous Lawsuits Filed Against Manufacturers

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Popular Heartburn Medication pulled off the Market by the FDA because of Cancer-Causing Substance

On April 1, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that manufacturers of Zantac and its generic counterpart ranitidine be pulled off the market immediately because of its high cancer risk. Zantac/ranitidine contains a substance known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The FDA determined that in some doses, NDMA levels increase over time (particularly when stored at higher than room temperatures), potentially resulting in “consumer exposure to unacceptable levels”. NDMA has been classified by the FDA, World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a cancer-causing substance.

Even prior to the April 1 decision by the FDA to pull Zantac from the market, numerous lawsuits had been filed against manufacturers and distributors of Zantac.

If you or a loved one developed cancer after using Zantac or its generic equivalent ranitidine, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The Alsobrook Law Group is currently accepting cases for those who have suffered from the physical, emotional, and financial effects of this drug. Message us online or call our office today at 334.737.3718 to review your case and discuss your legal rights and options.

What is Zantac?

Zantac/ranitidine is a very popular antacid medication that is widely used for heartburn, acid reflux, and several other stomach, throat, and gastrointestinal conditions. Zantac/ranitidine is a histamine blocker, so it is also regularly prescribed as part of an allergy treatment regimen.

Zantac has been in commercial use since 1981, and it is among the top 100 most prescribed drugs in the United States. For almost four decades, it has been available both over the counter and by prescription. OTC Zantac is normally used by consumers for relatively mild conditions such as heartburn, and the prescription strength version is used to treat more serious conditions such as stomach ulcers.

Zantac Linked to Cancer

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a substance that the World Health Organization has described as “clearly carcinogenic”. Exposure to NDMA has been linked to numerous health complications, which may include stomach cancer, bladder cancer, fibrosis and scarring in the liver, and tumors in the liver, lungs, and kidneys. A number of studies dating all the way back to the 1980s have linked NDMA to cancer.

On September 13, 2019, the FDA issued an advisory reporting that it had discovered NDMA in Zantac/ranitidine at levels ranging from 3,000 to 26,000 times higher than FDA-approved standards. This prompted recalls from retailers like Walgreens and CVS pharmacy. Under FDA guidelines, a 150 mg pill of Zantac should contain no more than 100 nanograms of NDMA. However, some studies have shown that a 150 mg pill of Zantac actually contains more than 2.5 million nanograms of MDMA.

Worse yet, it has been uncovered that Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the companies that manufacture Zantac, deliberately concealed the fact that Zantac contained unacceptably high levels of NDMA, causing millions of consumers to become exposed to various forms of cancer and other conditions. This all happened while Zantac became the first drug to generate $1 billion in sales and record unprecedented levels of profit for its manufacturers.

With countless Americans having developed cancer after taking Zantac, it is very important that Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim be held accountable for their reckless actions. This needs to be done not only to fully and fairly compensate victims, but also to help ensure that these companies do not continue to deceive the public by releasing similarly dangerous drugs without adequate warnings in the future.

Damages Available from Zantac Lawsuits

Lawsuits have been filed alleging that users of Zantac/ranitidine were exposed to dangerously high levels of NDMA, that the manufacturers of the drug were aware (or should have been aware) of this, and that they deliberately concealed this fact from consumers and the FDA.

Patients who took Zantac and were later diagnosed with bladder cancer, stomach cancer, or a similar condition may be entitled to a wide range of damages, which may include:

  • Medical costs associated with treating the condition.
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity.
  • The physical pain-and-suffering that resulted from the condition caused by Zantac use.
  • The mental anguish and psychological distress of developing a debilitating and potentially fatal condition.
  • The diminished quality of life resulting from the loss of the ability to participate in activities they were once able to before developing the condition.
  • Punitive damages to punish the manufacturers for willfully deceiving the public about the dangers of developing cancer after taking Zantac.

The first step for victims is to speak with an attorney who has extensive experience successfully pursuing personal injury claims on behalf of clients. Your attorney will thoroughly review your specific circumstances and advise you of your legal rights and options, so you can make the most informed decision on how you wish to proceed.

Zantac Lawsuit Attorney in Alabama

If you or someone close to you developed cancer after taking Zantac/ranitidine, the Alsobrook Law Group is here to help! We are currently providing free case reviews for anyone who calls our office or fills out our online contact form. It costs you nothing to find out if you have a case, and if you do, you will not have to pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Important update: Our office continues to be fully operational even as our nation deals with the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are taking all the precautions and following all social distancing guidelines, and we have the technology and resources to provide the same level of service our clients have always received.

For your free Zantac lawsuit consultation, message us online or call our office today at 334.737.3718. We look forward to serving you!