Zantac Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled Zantac and its generic substitute, ranitidine, over concerns that it causes cancer. Now, hundreds of victims are suing manufacturers, like Sanofi, because they knew, or should have known that the drug was dangerous, and should have warned the public about using it long-term.

The Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys team is proud to help represent people like you in Mobile, Daphne, Foley, and Fairhope, Alabama, and South Mississippi who have taken Zantac to relieve heartburn pain, and are now battling cancer as a result. Keep reading to learn more about Zantac, its dangers, and what to do next if you’re suffering because of this dangerous drug.

Zantac Was Widely Available and Made Billions for Drug Companies

Zantac was initially approved to treat ulcers and heartburn for short term use in 1983. However, it is also used to address acid indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and other digestion-related issues by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces. It quickly became one of the best-selling drugs worldwide. By 1988, GlaxoSmithKline, the drug’s original manufacturer, began earning more than $1 billion in annual Zantac sales.

In 1997, Zantac’s patent expired, and other drugmakers rushed to make their own generic version. Eventually, people could purchase Zantac and ranitidine over the counter. Countless people, including infants, have used Zantac.

What Makes Zantac and Ranitidine so Dangerous?

Tiny amounts of NDMA (N-Nitroso-dimethylamine) are in everyday products, including the food we eat. However, in larger doses, NDMA can be very dangerous, and damage live cells. The FDA classifies it as a probable carcinogen, and NDMA exposure has been connected to many severe health conditions:

• Leukemia
• Bladder cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colon cancer
• Severe liver scarring
• Reduced liver function
• Fever, vomiting, cramps, and dizziness
• Headaches.

Researchers and drug safety watch groups became increasingly concerned about large NDMA impurities in medications. First, a group of blood pressure drugs, including Valsartan, were pulled from the shelves because they contained unsafe levels of the chemical.

In 2019, several pharmaceutical companies announced that they were studying NDMA impurities in ranitidine. Soon after, distributors, like CVS and Walgreens, stopped selling Zantac and ranitidine. By October 2019, the FDA reported that Zantac and ranitidine often contained unsafe levels of NDMA. During their investigation, the FDA discovered NDMA levels up to 3,000 times higher than the approved levels.

On April 1, 2020, the FDA issued an order removing all Zantac and ranitidine from the market.

Studies also show that NDMA levels the drug increased during long-time storage or when the medication is exposed to heat. According to the FDA, lab testing shows that, even when stored normally, NDMA levels in Zantac and ranitidine grow over time. When the drug is stored at warmer temperatures, including “temperatures the product may be exposed to during distribution and handling by consumers,” NDMA levels dramatically spiked. Innocent people were unknowingly putting themselves at risk for cancer.

Did You Develop Cancer After Taking Zantac or Ranitidine? You Could Be Eligible to File a Zantac Lawsuit

Sanofi and other drugmakers should have known or knew they were making a dangerous product, and they failed to warn the public. If you or someone you love has used Zantac or ranitidine to relieve ulcer pain, heartburn, or other gastrointestinal issues and are now suffering from cancer, you shouldn’t have to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, or future treatment. You also deserve to have your pain and suffering compensated.

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“We’re ready to hold negligent drug companies accountable for their actions. Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys is helping victims and their families get justice. If you developed cancer after taking Zantac, ranitidine, or a generic anti-heartburn drug containing NDMA, you need to understand your options. We’ll review your case for free and give you real-world, practical advice.”

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We’re ready to hold negligent drug companies accountable for their actions. Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys is helping victims and their families get justice. If you developed cancer after taking Zantac, ranitidine, or a generic anti-heartburn drug containing NDMA, you need to understand your options. We’ll review your case for free and give you real-world, practical advice.

RELATED: 6 Questions You Should Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring Them

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys: Protecting People Like You From Zantac and Other Dangerous Drugs

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we’re committed to protecting innocent victims who are suffering because of someone else’s negligence. We’re scheduling free consultations now for people harmed after taking Zantac or Ranitidine. To schedule your remote, no-risk consultation,  call our office at  251-888-8888 or send us a message using our simple online contact form.

References

FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market. (2020, April 1). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-requests-removal-all-ranitidine-products-zantac-market

Erman, M., Mishra, M. (2019, October 1). Timeline: Popular heartburn medicine Zantac pulled off store shelves. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-fda-heartburn-timeline/timeline-popular-heartburn-medicine-zantac-pulled-off-store-shelves-idUSKBN1X014E

Gange PharmD, J. (2020, April 2). Ranitidine (Zantac) recall expanded, many questions remain. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ranitidine-zantac-recall-expanded-many-questions-remain-2020040218044

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.