You could be eligible to join a Zantac class action lawsuit if you:
- Personally took Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another medication containing ranitidine and later developed a cancer now linked to ranitidine
- Have a loved one who took Zantac or another medication containing ranitidine and later developed a cancer linked to ranitidine
Working with a lawyer may clarify whether you or your loved one could be eligible to join a lawsuit pertaining to the risks of taking Zantac, such as multidistrict litigation (MDL) 2924.
You May Be Eligible for MDL 2924
The most prominent lawsuit involving the dangers of ranitidine in Zantac is MDL 2924, which is being brought in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida. According to the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), MDL 2924 has 140 individual actions.
Some of the assertions within MDL 2924 include that:
- Anybody who took Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another medication containing ranitidine may have been put at risk of developing cancer because of the inherent instability of the ingredient ranitidine in Zantac
- The number of cases currently recognized in MDL 2924 is only the “tip of the iceberg” of cases that will likely emerge in the next “couple of years”
If you or your loved one choose to move forward with legal action based on the danger of Zantac, then you may help confirm that more lawsuits related to Zantac are in order. Better understanding of why individuals are suing manufacturers of Zantac and other drugs containing ranitidine may inform your decision to move forward with your own litigation.
Zantac’s Danger Became Known in 2019
In 2019, online pharmacy and laboratory Valisure alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that their testing revealed ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac and other drugs, could produce an unsafe level of the chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the body.
This revelation was concerning for several reasons. According to MDL 2924, NDMA:
- Is used primarily to intentionally produce tumors in laboratory animals, with the tumors being the subject of testing
- May also produce tumors in humans resulting in various forms of cancer
- May be produced in levels astronomically higher than is medically acceptable in people who take compounds containing ranitidine, such as Zantac
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites additional facts about NDMA that shine greater light on its potential danger. According to the EPA, NDMA:
- Is a “probable human carcinogen”
- Is the byproduct of industrial processes such as rocket fuel production and wastewater treatment
It was the finding by a Stanford Study cited in MDL 2924 that ingesting ranitidine may lead to levels of NDMA in the body that are 400 times greater than “acceptable” levels that is particularly alarming. As a probable carcinogen, having that amount of NDMA in the body could be extremely dangerous, and may ultimately result in the development of cancer.
Cancers That May Result From Taking Zantac
According to findings cited in MDL 2924, some of the cancers that may result from ingesting ranitidine in Zantac include:
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
If you or your loved one are diagnosed with any of these forms of cancer, then you may face:
- Significant mental anguish from the trauma of being diagnosed with cancer
- A lengthy string of hospital visits, doctor’s visits, and intense treatments as you fight your cancer
- Significant financial cost resulting from your cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Lost income because you will likely not be able to work during your period battling cancer, and possibly afterwards
If you or your loved one have to suffer these and other hardships because of cancer that may have resulted from taking ranitidine, then you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses through a lawsuit.
A Lawyer May Be Able To Help You Seek Justice
If you or a loved one developed cancer after taking Zantac or another medication containing ranitidine, then you may be eligible to join MDL 2924, another type of group lawsuit, or to bring a lawsuit of your own. A lawyer will assist you in joining a Zantac class action lawsuit, should you choose.
Some of the services that a lawyer may provide include:
- Organizing your case for compensation based on the evidence and facts of your case
- All legal paperwork and actions necessary to complete your lawsuit
- Defense of your rights
If your lawyer is successful in their goal of pursuing compensation on your behalf, then you may ultimately be entitled to awards for:
- Medical expenses stemming from your cancer
- Income you have lost while fighting cancer or rehabbing from your treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Any other losses that may have come from taking ranitidine, or Zantac specifically
If you want assistance with any lawsuit that you are considering bringing or joining, do not hesitate to reach out to a law firm.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
The team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers fights for those who have been victimized by negligence, and we may be able to assist you if you or a loved one took Zantac or ranitidine and then developed cancer. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.