N-Nitrosodimethylamine is a chemical compound also known as NDMA. It is categorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a “probable human carcinogen.” NDMA is dangerous because unsafe levels can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, resulting in significant hardship and even taking your life.
Researchers recently found that the antacid Zantac and similar drugs containing the ingredient ranitidine may contain unsafe levels of NDMA. They may also produce even more NDMA when ranitidine breaks down in the body. If you have been placed at risk of ranitidine exposure, a Zantac lawyer may be able to help you collect compensation.
The Uses and Dangers of NDMA
According to a lawsuit filed before the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, the scientific community has known that NDMA is dangerous for quite some time. NDMA:
- Is used to promote the growth of tumors in lab animals to test cancer treatments
- May have a similar effect (inducing tumors) in humans
- Is shown to produce tumors in critical organs, per almost 200 documented articles
- May be present in levels 400 times higher than “acceptable” in those who have consumed Zantac or the generic form of Zantac, ranitidine
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adds some concerning facts about NDMA, including that it:
- Was used in the production of rocket fuel
- May be found in wastewater
- May cause cancer in humans (it is a “probable human carcinogen”)
For these reasons, anyone who took Zantac or other drugs containing ranitidine and subsequently developed cancer may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer.
Zantac’s Side Effects Were Always Serious
Pharmaceutical manufacturers sold Zantac for more than three decades, listing side effects that did not include a risk of developing cancer. Some of the side effects of ranitidine that drug manufacturers did list include:
- Headaches
- Vertigo
- Digestive problems such as constipation or nausea
- Liver problems, which may produce fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain
- Adverse emotional or psychological conditions such as depression, general agitation, and confusion
- Cardiovascular symptoms
These are significant side effects that should have been taken seriously by those considering prescribing or taking Zantac. However, these side effects pale in comparison to the risks that come with heightened levels of NDMA found in ranitidine in 2019.
Cancer and NDMA
According to the lawsuit cited above, many types of cancer may form due to NDMA exposure. These include cancer of the:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Esophagus
- Intestine
- Stomach
- Bladder
The revelation of these cancer risks, which contributed to the FDA’s decision to request the withdrawal of all ranitidine-containing medications from the market on April 1, 2020, is also leading to lawsuits.
For a free legal consultation, call (337) 777-7777
You Could Be Eligible to Bring a Zantac Lawsuit
If you or your loved one took Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another medication containing ranitidine as an ingredient, then you may be able to:
- Join a class-action lawsuit
- Join multidistrict litigation (MDL)
- Bring an individual lawsuit
This could enable you to hold manufacturers of Zantac and other drugs containing ranitidine liable for any injuries you suffered. Medical professionals who should have been aware of the possible risks of the known levels of NDMA in Zantac could also prove liable. However, the most obvious liable parties appear to be the manufacturers of the drug.
A Solid Legal Team Can Lead Your Zantac Lawsuit
Whether you bring a lawsuit on behalf of yourself or a loved one, and whether you were potentially harmed by name-brand Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another medication a lawyer who handles these types of cases can assist you.
The victims of dangerous drugs already have enough to worry about without having to manage a lawsuit all by themselves. For this reason, a firm that handles Zantac cases would be happy to manage all of the following tasks—and many more—on your behalf.
- Assess your case’s validity over the phone at no cost or obligation
- Collect evidence showing your use of the drug in question
- Collect documentation of the injuries that prompted you to pursue legal action
- Obtain the testimony of experts in the medical and legal fields whose remarks may speak to the liable party’s negligence (i.e., any reasonable entity in their position would have known the drug was dangerous much sooner)
- Submit all necessary forms and paperwork within stated deadlines
- Refer you to any class action lawsuits or joint lawsuits for which you are eligible, or launch and file an individual lawsuit in the appropriate court as soon as possible
- Negotiate with the liable party if they are willing to offer a settlement, or take your case to court if necessary
- Represent you throughout the entirety of your lawsuit, no matter how complex it is
- Defend your rights and interests
Compensation for Your NDMA-Related Illness
You may find these services especially helpful if you are personally battling cancer or helping a loved one fighting cancer. If your attorney is able to successfully recover compensation, then you could be reimbursed for:
- Physical pain and suffering related to the cancer
- The emotional toll of living with cancer and its effects
- The inability to take care of yourself or your dependents
- Disabilities caused by the illness (e.g., you lost an organ to cancer, or you were not strong enough to fulfill your regular obligations)
- Income you lost or expect to lose in the future
- Medical costs related to your cancer or any other conditions you developed due to the cancer or related treatment
- Travel expenses related to seeking medical care far from home
- Jobs or job opportunities that your illness prevented you from keeping or taking advantage of
If money is a concern for you, know that your lawyer charges no up-front fees. Instead, they work on a contingency basis and do not charge attorney’s fees unless and until you get financial compensation.
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There is no refuting that NDMA is dangerous, and that Zantac contains – and always has contained – unsafe levels of NDMA. If you or a loved one suspect that ranitidine in Zantac or another drug may have caused your cancer, then our team wants to assist your legal fight. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
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