In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encouraged manufacturers to take Zantac and other medications containing ranitidine off consumer markets. Reasons included that:
- An online pharmacy and laboratory called Valisure discovered that ranitidine could break down into a chemical compound called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (or NDMA) in the body, according to ABC News.
- 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.
The finding that consuming Zantac or other medications containing ranitidine may increase your risk of cancer is generally why Zantac was taken off the market.
Zantac Is The Focus of Lawsuits
Lawsuits soon followed after it came to light in 2019 that ranitidine, and medications like Zantac that contain ranitidine, could cause a risk of cancer. One specific lawsuit, multidistrict litigation (MDL) 2924, contains 140 instances of individuals alleging that generic ranitidine or Zantac containing ranitidine contributed to their cancer, per the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
Some of the allegations contained within MDL 2924 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 be a cause of 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 the growth of tumors.
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
You may be eligible to bring a lawsuit if you or a loved one has taken Zantac or another drug that contains the compound ranitidine, either in the distant or recent past, and developed cancer.
Several Parties Could Be Liable for Injuries
Those who have learned about NDMA and the likelihood that ranitidine in Zantac and other medications may result in unsafe levels of NDMA in your body may ask an obvious question: how did Zantac remain on the market for approximately 36 years before its threat to human health came to light?
Zantac received FDA approval in 1983, according to Reuters, and flooded the consumer market shortly after. Reuters adds that Zantac was among the most popular drugs on the market in the 1980s. It was still being prescribed at the time that its danger was discovered by Valisure in 2019.
Some of the entities that failed to do adequate testing that may have uncovered ranitidine’s potential for producing dangerous levels of NDMA in humans include:
- Glaxo Holdings Ltd, also known as GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the first manufacturer of Zantac
- Drug manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, and Sanofi SA, which have each produced over-the-counter or prescription forms of Zantac
Most individuals understand that 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.
Find Out If You Qualify for a Zantac Lawsuit
You could be eligible to join a class action or multidistrict litigation (MDL) or 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 believe that you have already been harmed by taking Zantac or a similar medication, then you may be justified in exploring your legal options.
A Lawyer May Assist Your Zantac Lawsuit
Zantac was taken off the market for good reason: it is potentially dangerous. If you want the help of a lawyer, they may:
- Steer you towards a pending lawsuit which you are eligible to join
- Bring an individual lawsuit on your behalf
- Fight for any compensation that you are entitled to through legal channels
- Defend your rights throughout the process
You could ultimately prove eligible for compensation covering:
- Pain and suffering related to your or your family member’s cancer diagnosis
- Losses related to the death of a loved one from cancer
- Income you have lost because of cancer
- Medical expenses
You may be entitled to additional losses based on the facts of your lawsuit. We will help you identify and pursue any awards that you may be entitled to.
Call Our Team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
We will work tirelessly in the pursuit of 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.