In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encouraged manufacturers to take Zantac and other medications containing ranitidine off consumer markets. This is because:
- Some ranitidine products contain an impurity, N-Nitroso-dimethylamine (NDMA), that may increase with improper or longtime storage.
- NDMA has been dubbed a “probable carcinogen” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Dangerous levels of NDMA were not previously detected in Zantac and other medications containing ranitidine, which is why they were previously allowed to remain on the market.
In short, the reason why Zantac was taken off the market is that it is believed it can cause cancer in those exposed to higher levels of the contaminant NDMA. If you believe your cancer was caused by Zantac, you may be able to take legal action to recover monetary compensation.
Zantac Is the Focus of Lawsuits
After it came to light in 2019 that ranitidine and medications like Zantac that contain ranitidine could increase cancer risks, lawsuits soon followed. One lawsuit brought before the United States Judicial Panel contains 140 instances of individuals alleging that generic ranitidine or Zantac contributed to their cancer, per the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
Some of the allegations contained within this lawsuit include that:
- Ranitidine is an inherently unstable molecule, and that Zantac and other drugs containing ranitidine may be inherently dangerous by their very nature.
- All forms of medication containing ranitidine, including Zantac, have and could still cause cancer in those who take them.
- Zantac has been a possible cause of cancer, dating all the way back to its introduction to the consumer market in 1983.
- Nearly 200 science-backed studies show that NDMA, which may result from the body’s breakdown of ranitidine, causes tumor growth.
How Ranitidine Could Affect You
The lawsuit also notes that those who have taken Zantac or other drugs containing ranitidine may have been at risk of developing cancer affecting the:
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Esophagus
- Kidneys
- Bladder
- Pancreas
- Liver
All these types of cancer can be devastating or even fatal to patients. You may be eligible to bring a lawsuit if you or a loved one has taken Zantac or another drug containing the compound ranitidine, either in the distant or recent past, and developed cancer.
Several Parties Could Be Liable for Damages
Who can you sue for financial compensation if a recalled drug has affected you? In dangerous drug cases like this one, the liable party is the drug manufacturer, who should have realized their product was hazardous and acted sooner than they did.
The identity of the manufacturer in your case depends on whether you took Zantac or another drug and possibly the period during which you took the drug in question. Some of the entities that have already become the subject of ranitidine-related lawsuits include:
- GlaxoSmithKline plc
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
- Sanofi SA
- Pfizer Inc.
- Chattem Chemicals
You May Qualify for a Zantac Lawsuit
You could be eligible to join a class action or multidistrict litigation (MDL) or to begin an individual lawsuit if you:
- Personally developed cancer after taking Zantac or an equivalent medication containing ranitidine
- Have a family member who developed cancer after taking Zantac or a pharmaceutical alternative and may have died as a result
- Develop cancer in the future and have taken Zantac or a medication containing ranitidine in the past
It is important that you stop taking any medication containing ranitidine if you have not done so already. If you think Zantac or a similar medication has already harmed you, our firm can help you explore your legal options.
We Will Assist Your Zantac Lawsuit
Zantac was taken off the market for good reason: it is potentially dangerous. We encourage everyone who believes they have a case to contact us as soon as possible. We will:
- Determine if you have a viable case at no cost or obligation to you
- Steer you toward a pending lawsuit that you are eligible to join or bring an individual lawsuit on your behalf
- Calculate how much money your injuries may be worth
- Deliver messages, including any settlement offers, between you and the liable party’s representatives
- Help you identify and pursue awards you may be entitled to recover
- Fight for any compensation you are entitled to through negotiation or a trial
- Defend your rights throughout the entire process
- Keep in touch with you during your lawsuit, including updating you about new progress or developments
We work on a contingency fee basis. This way, you can access all the above services without having to pay attorney’s fees until you receive compensation. If we recover no compensation for you, you pay us no fees.
Damages You Can Receive from a Zantac Lawsuit
Most individuals understand there are risks and possible side effects associated with taking any medication, and Zantac is no exception. They do not, however, expect that side effects not listed on the packaging or explained to them by their doctor—such as cancer—are among the risks they will be exposed to while taking such medications.
If you or a loved one has suffered physical, mental, or financial distress due to Zantac or a similar drug, our law office can help you seek compensation for injuries, such as:
- Pain and suffering related to your or your family member’s cancer diagnosis
- A loss of independence stemming from your inability to care for yourself or your dependents the way you did before
- Disfiguring scars or other marks your cancer treatment caused that substantially alter your appearance
- Physical disability or weakness caused by cancer or by a necessary treatment
- Income you have lost because of cancer or that you expect to lose in the future due to long-term disability or symptoms
- Medical expenses, including past, present, and projected future treatments
- A job you can no longer perform because of your cancer
- Expenses you would not have incurred if you did not have cancer, such as the cost of hiring a babysitter to watch your children while you received treatment
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
We will work tirelessly in the pursuit of financial recovery and justice for you and any family members you represent. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
We will explain more about why Zantac was taken off the market and what you can do to protect your rights if you were injured by an unsafe drug.