Zantac Class Action Claims
What is Zantac?
Zantac is a histamine-2 (H2) blocker that is used to relieve and prevent heartburn currently manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, and previously by Boehringer Ingelheim. Generic versions are sold by other pharmaceutical companies such as Novaris/Sandoz and Apotex. Prescription strength ranitidine is used to treat and prevent stomach and intestine ulcers. Zantac is available in tablet and liquid form.
Why are there Zantac class action lawsuits?
On April 1, 2020 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested manufacturers recall all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine medications (commonly known by the brand name Zantac) from the market immediately, because they contain a probable carcinogen (cancer causing substance) called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is found in small amounts in water, vegetables, dairy products, grilled meats, and other foods but is dangerous in larger amounts and may cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) also list NDMA as a potential carcinogen. This means that NDMA may cause cancer after exposure to high doses over a long period of time. In fact, labs use NDMA in research and testing to induce cancer in rats.
The FDA actually found low levels of NDMA in ranitidine back in September 2019, after it was brought to their attention by testing done by an online pharmacy and labratory, Valisure, in June 2019. However, they didn’t have enough proof of its danger to tell the public to stop taking it, since those tests showed that NDMA levels, “barely exceed amounts you might expect to find in common foods.” Instead, they warned the public of the potential risks and told them to consider alternative medicines and treatments. Since then, testing from independent labs and by the FDA proved that NDMA levels in ranitidine were increasing.
NDMA levels in ranitidine increase over time, meaning a bottle of Zantac manufactured or purchased a year ago can have higher levels of NDMA than a bottle manufactured or purchased a few weeks ago. NDMA levels also rise when the medication is stored at temperatures higher than room temperature. This doesn’t mean just include patients who are storing the medication at the wrong temperature but that the medicine could have been exposed to higher temperatures during transportation and distribution.
What types of cancer is Zantac associated with?
Zantac been linked to several types of cancer, including but not limited to:
Stomach or gastric cancer
Small intestine cancer
Large intestine cancer
Colorectal cancer
Esophageal cancer
Liver cancer
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Nasal cancer
Prostate cancer
Breast cancer
Leukemia
Non-hodgkin’s lymphoma
Multiple myeloma
What other health issues or side effects is Zantac associated with?
Overexposure to NDMA may cause the following symptoms:
Headache
Fever
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
Jaundice
Abdominal cramps
Enlarged liver
Reduced liver function and/or Liver failure
Reduced kidney function and/or Kidney failure
Reduced lung function and/or Lung failure
What should I do if I’ve been taking Zantac?
According to the FDA, if you have been taking over-the-counter Zantec, STOP IMMEDIATELY and properly dispose of your medication. If you have been taking prescription Zantec, SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY, before you stop taking it. If you need to dispose your medication, DO NOT take your medicine to a drug take-back location.
Can I sue Zantac’s manufacturer?
Yes. Sanofi and Boehringer may have violated state consumer-protection laws by failing to disclose the harmful levels of NDMA in Zantac. The FDA has determined that the acceptable daily intake limit of NDMA is 96 nanograms per day. Valisure’s tests found nearly 300,000 nanograms of NDMA in a 150 g Zantac tablet.
What’s the criteria to qualify for a Zantac lawsuit claim?
Prove that you used Zantac or ranitidine for an extended period of time. A prescription is evidence of ranitidine use. If you are an over-the-counter Zantac user, drugstore receipts and notes in medical records are some ways to show proof of ranitidine use. In either case, you must show that you were taking Zantac regularly.
Show that you have an injury. You must have been diagnosed with one of the cancers listed above cancers or other significant illnesses and/or symptoms after a period of significant exposure to ranitidine.
Prove that your ranitidine use caused your cancer. Again, showing that you took Zantac regularly, after which point you were diagnosed with cancer, helps show a causal effect between ranitidine use and cancer.
What compensation am I eligible for in a Zantac class-action lawsuit?
While every case is unique, and there are never guarantees in active litigation, claimants may seek the following types of compensation for Zantac claims:
Pain and suffering
Medical expenses incurred by past and future treatment of the injuries caused by Zantac
Wage loss
Loss of earning capacity
Loss of enjoyment of life
Other punitive damages
Speaking to a class action lawyer who handles Zantac claims can help you get a better understanding of the value of your claim.
Should the manufacturer of Zantac be held responsible?
Sanofi has stated, “We at Sanofi, are there beside people in need, as a health journey partner. Many patients are depending on us. We aim to protect, enable and support people facing health challenges, so they can live life to its full potential.”
So when, big pharmaceutical makes drugs that actually harm consumers, it is the consumer’s right to seek compensation for their injuries. People want to trust that medications that are easily available over-the-counter will help treat their ailments and not cause them further or more serious injuries. Based on FDA and independent investigations, Zantac is not safe and may be responsible for numerous people having to battle cancer.
Call 844.464.3476 or fill out the form below for our office to contact you regarding your potential Zantac class action claim. Contact us 24/7. Consultations are free. We’re here for you.