Zantac Lawsuits Claim Drug Caused Cancer

In September 2019, the FDA issued a warning that the drug Zantac contains a carcinogenic substance called NDMA.

Zantac is a heartburn and acid reflux medication containing the ingredient ranitidine. The FDA warning also applies to generic versions of heartburn medicine containing ranitadine. Ranitidine is available in prescription and over the counter versions.

What is NDMA?

NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) is a chemical present in gasoline, fuels, and industrial lubricants. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance. The amounts of NDMA found in Zantac pills were 3,000-26,000 times higher than the legal limit. A 2016 study by Stanford University tested ten voluntary subjects and found that after just one 150mg dose of Zantac, users’ urine contained 490 times the FDA’s permissible daily intake of NDMA.

Has Zantac Been Recalled?

Zantac manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis LLC recalled Zantac OTC products in the U.S. in October, 2019. That same month, major drugstore retailers including Wal Mart, Walgreens, and CVS pulled Zantac  products from their shelves. Other pharmaceutical companies like Sandoz, GlaxoSmithKline, Apotex, and others have issued voluntary recalls of their ranitidine drugs as well.

Zantac and Cancer Lawsuits

Ranitidine containing NDMA may be linked to the following types of cancer:

• Stomach cancer
• Colon cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• and others

Lawsuits against makers of Zantac allege that manufacturers were aware of the potential risk associated with NDMA contamination and made no attempt to warn consumers.

You may be eligible for a lawsuit if: 1) You used Zantac or other ranitidine heartburn medication regularly (approx. 4 times per week or more) within the last 15 years and 2) developed one of the above types of cancer. Plaintiffs in these cases may seek damages including past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, wage loss, diminished quality of life, and punitive damages, if applicable.

What else do I need to know?

People taking prescription Zantac or ranitidine who wish to stop should consult with a healthcare professional about alternative options before making any changes to their treatment.

If you or someone you love developed cancer after taking Zantac, contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. Dan Munley was named “Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs,” for the Allentown Metro Area, by Best Lawyers, 2020. Marion Munley earned the same designation in 2017 and 2019. Our experienced product liability lawyers will review the details of your case at no charge and help you decide the next steps to take.

Share this post: