According to multidistrict litigation (MDL) 2924, the chemical compound N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) may be a byproduct of Zantac and has been linked to:
- Stomach cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Intestinal cancer
According to MDL 2924, NDMA is primarily used by scientists to induce tumors in laboratory animals for the study of tumor-fighting treatments. Accordingly, the findings that NDMA may result from consuming ranitidine in Zantac and other medications is very concerning. If you or a loved one developed one of the cancers caused by Zantac, then you could be eligible to collect compensation for your losses.
Understanding the Danger of NDMA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration categorizes NDMA as a “probable carcinogen,” and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists several potential ways that you may be exposed to NDMA which underscore the danger of ingesting the chemical compound. The EPA states that NDMA:
- Is a chemical used in the production of rocket fuel, as well as “copolymers” which may include rubber
- Can be a byproduct of wastewater, and may be found at wastewater treatment plants
- Is used primarily for research purposes
- Is listed as a “priority pollutant” that the EPA takes seriously as a potential hazard to human health
It has now become clear that NDMA is a byproduct of Zantac and its generic version ranitidine, yet Zantac and ranitidine have been available on the consumer market for decades.
FDA Recognizes Zantac’s Health Threat
On April 1, 2020, the FDA officially recommended the recall of all products containing ranitidine, Zantac included, because of the possibility that ranitidine’s breakdown in the body could produce unsafe levels of NDMA.
Given this possibility, how did ranitidine and Zantac last on the market for decades?
According to Reuters, Zantac:
- Was approved for sale to consumers by the FDA in 1983
- Became the world’s most lucrative drug by 1988
- Became available in generic versions, such as ranitidine, in 1997
- Became widely produced by many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers during the period between 2004 and 2017
- Was noted for its potential health hazards in 2019, more than three decades after its initial release and FDA approval
This timeline makes it clear that multiple parties failed to spot what now appears to be critical flaws in Zantac and ranitidine over the course of more than 36 years. Some of those parties include:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Regulators in other countries across the globe where Zantac has been widely sold and consumed
- Manufacturers of Zantac and other equivalents containing ranitidine, which include GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Sanofi SA, and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, according to Reuters
If you or your loved one developed one of the cancers that have been associated with Zantac or ranitidine after taking any medication associated with ranitidine, you may be eligible to bring a lawsuit or join a class action or multidistrict litigation.
You May Be Eligible for Compensation
Speaking with a lawyer may be helpful if you believe you or a loved one may have developed cancer caused by Zantac or another medication. A lawyer may assist you by:
- Listening to your account of taking a medication you believe may have caused cancer and advising you on your eligibility to join an existing lawsuit or bring a lawsuit of your own
- Collecting evidence related to your use of Zantac or another medication, as well as documentation of your or your loved one’s cancer
- Consulting experts in both the pharmaceutical field and the law surrounding pharmaceuticals and collecting their testimony if it would benefit your case for compensation
- Representing you in any settlement negotiations that arise with attorneys for the defendants in your case
- Arguing your case at trial, if need be
- Handling all other legal responsibilities necessary to complete your lawsuit
- Defending your rights
A lawyer may be able to answer questions and concerns that you have about your lawsuit while you focus on recovering from cancer and other matters that deserve your attention.
If your lawsuit is successful, then you may be able to collect compensation covering:
- Medical expenses related to your or your loved one’s cancer
- Pain and suffering stemming from your cancer
- Income you have lost because of your illness
- Losses associated with a loved one’s death
- Any additional losses you have suffered which may be linked to the consumption of ranitidine
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
We will fight for you if a drug manufacturer or another party exposed you to harm. Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation with one of our team members regarding your eligibility for legal action.