Zantac, known in its generic form as ranitidine, is used to reduce symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. However, Zantac has had trace levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a human carcinogen. This means that consuming Zantac and NDMA can put you at risk of contracting severe forms of cancer, such as liver, breast, and stomach cancer.
Sanofi, the manufacturer of Zantac, failed to warn consumers of the dangers inherent in their product, which has led to them being the defendant in numerous product liability lawsuits. The product liability lawyers at Russo Law Firm can assist you in seeking compensation for damages caused by the defective drug by collecting evidence to prove your case, speaking with expert witnesses, and negotiating with Sanofi’s insurance company.
Why Choose Russo Law Firm for Your Zantac Cancer Lawsuit?
Following a Zantac cancer diagnosis, you can be scared, confused, and unsure of how to proceed. How do you weigh your desire to pursue compensation with your need to focus on medical treatment? The product liability attorneys at Russo Law Firm can take the burden off your shoulders.
Russo Law Firm has decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases, including those meant to hold manufacturers accountable for defective drugs. We believe in maintaining constant communication with our clients, so they understand how we are helping, address their concerns, and help put them at ease during this stressful time. Contact Russo Law Firm today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you with your product liability claim over Zantac cancer.
Russo Law Firm Case Results
At Russo Law Firm, we don’t believe in a “one size fits all approach” to legal counsel. Each case has different variables that affect possible settlement amounts. We wish to consider those to put you in the best position to receive a settlement reflecting how the Zantac cancer diagnosis affected you.
Many other law firms will take the first settlement offer that comes their way, but we do not. At Russo Law Firm, we believe in continuing a case until the client receives fair compensation. If a case cannot be settled through settlement negotiations, our product liability lawyers have no problem bringing the case to trial to ensure the clients get the justice they deserve.
The following are some of the case results Russo Law Firm has earned for clients:
- $2.4 Million for Medical Malpractice Misdiagnosis
- $2 Million for Wrongful Death Trucking Accident
- $1.75 Million Product Liability Jury Award for Crushed Hand
- $650 Thousand Automobile Accident Jury Award for Reconstructed Knee
What is Zantac?
Zantac is one of the most widely accepted over-the-counter drugs to help with heartburn in the United States. The drug was first introduced in 1981 and only took until 1988 to become the world’s best-selling prescription drug. Even as the years have gone on with more drugs hitting the market, Zantac continues to sell, registering more than 15 million prescriptions in 2016.
This drug helps with heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the user’s stomach. Zantac is known as an H2 blocker, which is a type of medicine that reduces stomach acid secreted by the glands lining your stomach. It can also help with acid reflux or treats stomach ulcers. There have been relatively minor side effects associated with Zantac until 2019 reports came out of NDMA in Zantac.
NDMA is a Zantac Carcinogen
In 2019, it was discovered that Zantac contained levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine, otherwise known as NDMA. It is a yellow, odorless liquid chemical used as rocket fuel that can be found in water, soil, and air. NDMA can be created when food and drink are processed or when people consume foods containing alkylamines.
The following are some of the foods and drinks that can contain NDMA:
- Cured meats
- Vegetables
- Beer
- Cheese
- Fish
NDMA is a human carcinogen, meaning that high levels of exposure to it can increase a person’s risk of suffering from cancer or cancer symptoms. Levels of NDMA found in Zantac have been linked to users who have cancer, enough to create a significant portion of users filing Zantac cancer lawsuits.
Why is There NDMA in Zantac?
Although Zantac’s link to NDMA was not made widely public until 2019, a link was discovered as early as 1983. Two Italian studies indicated a link between ranitidine and NDMA when they found that dimethylamine (DMA) contained in the drug can combine with nitrosamines, nitrites, and nitrate in common foods like grilled meats. These substances can cause damage to the cellular DNA of gastric cells and possibly result in cancer symptoms.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) conducted tests to determine how NDMA infected Zantac and found that ranitidine is unstable and can break down to form NDMA. When ranitidine mixes with gastric fluid and sodium nitrites, it can produce around 304,500 nanograms (ng) of NDMA per tablet of Zantac, which is above the FDA’s acceptable limit of 96 ng.
NDMA’s Links to Cancer
Studies have found the longer someone is exposed to NDMA, the higher chance of them developing cancer or other severe health problems. Rodent studies revealed that NDMA had a consistent carcinogenic effect and increased the rate of hepatic, pulmonary, and renal tumors. A December 2020 study linked the increase of NDMA levels to the degradation of molecules in Zantac.
In 2004, the National Cancer Institute published a study showing a link between ranitidine use and bladder cancer. The use of ranitidine increases the presence of NDMA in urinary excretion.
What Cancer Does Zantac Cause?
Using Zantac can put you at risk of exposure to the human carcinogen NDMA. This has been the heart of the product liability lawsuits meant to hold Sanofi accountable for NDMA exposure in Zantac.
Cancer can result from cancerous cells spreading throughout the body, causing harm by creating tumors and infecting healthy tissue. It can lead to a significant decrease in quality of life, possibly leading to organ failure, extreme fatigue, and physical pain.
The following are the types of cancer that can result from NDMA exposure in Zantac:
- Stomach cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Breast cancer
- Throat/nasal cancer
- Brain cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Islet cell tumors
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Zantac Cancer Symptoms
Cancer can change the way of life of the person who has it because of the severe symptoms that come with it. Different types of cancer can have different symptoms, but they all change your way of life by affecting you physically. Cancer symptoms can cause physical discomfort, make everyday tasks more difficult, and change your body through weight loss.
The following are some of the symptoms that can indicate you contracted cancer from Zantac:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Poor appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloody or tarry stools (an indicator of intestinal bleeding)
- Light-colored or greasy stools
- A change in bowel habits
- Symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, dizziness, and weakness
- New abdominal pain unrelated to heartburn
- Back pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary urgency or incontinence
- Painful urination
- Itchy skin
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should go to a doctor immediately to have them check to see if you contracted cancer. You can possibly diagnose your condition early to prevent catastrophic damage later on. With early detection, a healthcare professional can suggest medical treatment that can potentially mitigate more severe symptoms later down the line.
FDA Investigation of Ranitidine NDMA Exposure
In 2019, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) conducted laboratory tests to determine the connection between ranitidine, NDMA, and cancer. On September 13th, 2019, the FDA issued a statement that revealed ranitidine products contained low levels of NDMA.
After months of further testing, they found that ranitidine products sold by Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and other medical supply stores put people at risk of NDMA exposure and cancer. By April 1st, 2020, the FDA found that NDMA levels in these products increased over time when stored at higher than room temperature. Eventually, they determined these products were too dangerous to go to market and issued mandatory recalls.
Zantac Recalls in the United States
After the FDA’s thorough investigation of the presence of NDMA in ranitidine products, they found that the products posed too great of a cancer risk for consumers and called for full mandatory recalls. Zantac and other ranitidine products contained too high of a level of NDMA to be safe for consumers, leaving those with heartburn at risk of suffering an even more dangerous medical condition.
The following is a timeline of ranitidine recalls suggested by the FDA:
- September 24th, 2019: The FDA announced voluntary recalls of 14 lots of prescription generic ranitidine capsules distributed by Sanoz, Inc.
- September 26th, 2019: The FDA announced the voluntary recall of over-the-counter ranitidine products labeled by Walmart, Walgreens, and Rite Aid that were produced by Apotex Corp.
- October 23rd, 2019: Additional voluntary recalls were called by the FDA, including over-the-counter Zantac made by Sanofi and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, LTD.
- October 28th, 2019: The FDA announced more recalls, this time for ranitidine products offered by Perrigo Company, Novitium Pharma LLC, and Lannett Company.
- November 8th, 2019: More recalls took Aurobindo Pharma USA ranitidine products off the market. The FDA also urged all ranitidine manufacturers to conduct their own laboratory tests using the FDA’s testing protocol to test for high chemical impurity levels.
- November 12th, 2019: Voluntary recalls were called for ranitidine products manufactured by Amneal Pharmaceuticals and American Health Packaging.
- November 22nd, 2019: The FDA called for voluntary recalls of ranitidine products manufactured by Golden State Medical Supply and Precision Dose Inc.
- April 1st, 2020: After months of further voluntary recalls, the FDA announced the mandatory recall of all over-the-counter products containing ranitidine due to the health risks posed by NDMA.
Manufacturers of Ranitidine Products That Were Recalled
Although Sanofi was under fire for Zantac product recalls, they were not the only manufacturer of ranitidine products to have their products recalled. Following the thorough investigation by the FDA, all major manufacturers of ranitidine products had their products recalled due to the cancer risk posed by NDMA exposure.
The following are the manufacturers that had ranitidine products recalled:
- American Health Packaging
- Amneal Pharmaceuticals
- Aurobindo Pharma USA
- Apotex Corp
- Appco Pharma
- Denton Pharma
- Reddy’s Laboratories
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
- Golden State Medical Supply
- Lannett Company
- Novitium Pharma
- Perrigo Company
- Precision Dose
- Sandoz
- Sanofi
If you used a ranitidine product manufactured by one of these companies, you could be at risk of developing cancer. You should contact a product liability lawyer immediately to discuss your options for pursuing Zantac or ranitidine cancer damages.
Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit for Cancer Caused by Zantac
Zantac is a defective drug with a dangerous chemical that can lead to cancer. Defective drug claims fall under product liability law, which involves holding manufacturers, designers, sellers, and distributors of consumer products liable for negligent behavior that puts consumers at risk of harm.
The following are the three types of product liability claims:
- The product has a design defect
- The product has a manufacturing defect
- There was a failure to warn of the dangers inherent in a product
The manufacturers of Zantac and other ranitidine products failed to warn consumers of the risk of NDMA exposure and cancer. You can file a product liabiltiy lawsuit with ranitidine manufacturers like Sanofi for their failure to warn that led to cancer and significant monetary damages.
Zantac Cancer Lawsuit
Several hundred Zantac cancer lawsuits were filed against Sanofi to pursue compensation for damages caused by their failure to warn of Zantac’s risk of cancer. These lawsuits were consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL), which is designed to promote consistency in discovery, streamline the litigation process, and increase the chances of a global settlement.
The Zantac cancer MDL is pending before Judge Rosenberg in the United States Federal Court For The Southern District of Florida. Judge Rosenberg has dismissed some pending claims against manufacturers of Zantac, such as Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Par Pharmaceutical Inc., and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, because they could not redesign or re-label ranitidine products due to their federal duty of sameness.
Many of the dismissed claims fell under the U.S. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These were dismissed because consumers did not purchase Zantac directly from manufacturers. Despite some dismissed claims, the Zantac MDL is still pending, and a settlement could be coming.
Zantac Cancer MDL Daubert Hearings and Bellwether Trials
Before settlement negotiations can begin, the Zantac cancer MDL must pass through two important stages:
- Daubert Hearings: These are scientific hearings meant to determine the strength of the correlation between the use of Zantac and cancer. The hearings must provide legitimate and strong scientific evidence, which should be peer-reviewed medical studies backed up by medical expert testimony, to prove the causal relationship between cancer and the use of Zantac.
- Bellwether Trials: These are test trials of one case from a pool of large claims filed against a party. In this case, one person that filed a Zantac lawsuit against a Zantac manufacturer will have a test trial to see how the future of the case will play out.
As with most mass torts, these processes can take many years to reach a conclusion. Despite the potentially long process toward compensation, you should still contact a Zantac cancer lawsuit to determine what your options are for receiving compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
What Damages Can You Pursue in a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit?
Personal injury victims can pursue compensation for damages, which are losses associated with the accident or incident that caused injury or illness. Product liability victims have the ability to file a claim with companies in the distribution chain responsible for damages. In most cases, such as the Zantac cancer MDL, they pursue compensation from manufacturers.
There are two main types of personal injury damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a monetary value attached to them, such as medical bills, lost wages, and hospital costs. Non-economic damages are intangible costs that reflect how your life has changed as a result of the defective product, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.
The following are some of the damages you can pursue in a Zantac Cancer lawsuit:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Ambulatory costs
- Funeral and burial costs
How Can a Product Liability Lawyer Help You With a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit?
Product liability law is complicated, especially for those without a law background. This is why those who have cancer because of Zantac and NDMA should turn to an experienced product liability lawyer to help assess damages, file the claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and negotiate a settlement.
Your product liability lawyer can help you file a lawsuit and get involved in the Zantac cancer MDL to reap the benefits of any global settlement. Allow an experienced product liability lawyer to hear your story, so they can craft a plan to put you in the best position to recover compensation for Zantac cancer damages.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Zantac Cancer Lawsuit
The product liability lawyers at Russo Law Firm have assisted victims of defective drugs, defective medical devices, and other harmful products pursue compensation from negligent manufacturers. Facing a powerful manufacturer and an insurance company can be daunting, especially getting involved in a larger MDL or class action lawsuit. Our product liability lawyers can simplify the process by handling the paperwork, evidence gathering, and negotiations while you focus on your medical treatment.
At Russo Law Firm, we offer free consultations to personal injury victims to learn how we can help with your case. If you suffered damages from cancer caused by Zantac, contact us at 844-847-8300 or leave a message on our online contact page.