Can I Pursue Compensation if I Contracted Cancer After Taking Zantac?

 Posted on June 03, 2021 in Defective Drugs & Treatments

In April of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement requesting that the popular drug Zantac be removed from stores. This was done because laboratory tests had found that the drug contained a substance that could potentially cause cancer. Following this statement, manufacturers recalled all prescription and over-the-counter drugs containing the drug ranitidine, including the name-brand Zantac and generic equivalents. While this recall may have helped some people avoid being exposed to harmful substances, it did not address the harm caused to those who had used Zantac in the past. Those who have contracted cancer after using drugs containing ranitidine will need to understand their options for taking legal action against the manufacturers of these medications.

Litigation in Zantac Injury Cases

Prior to the recall, Zantac and its generic equivalents were commonly used to treat conditions that affect the digestive system, such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Independent laboratory tests that were conducted in 2019 found that ranitidine drugs contained unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine, which is more commonly known as NDMA.

NDMA is a carcinogen, and it may cause cancer in multiple parts of the body, including the stomach, esophagus, intestines, colon, rectum, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, liver, lungs, breasts, or prostate. While NDMA is present in certain foods, the FDA recommends that people avoid consuming more than 96 nanograms of this substance each day. However, some tests found that ranitidine products contained as much as 2 million nanograms of NDMA per dose.

Currently, consumers have filed a number of lawsuits against the manufacturers of Zantac and other drugs containing ranitidine. In some cases, these lawsuits have been combined into multi-district litigation, allowing multiple plaintiffs to pursue compensation for injuries caused by defective drugs. To pursue compensation, a person will usually need to demonstrate that they took drugs containing ranitidine and that they have been diagnosed with a form of cancer linked to NDMA. By working with an attorney, victims can demonstrate that there was a connection between their use of Zantac and their cancer diagnosis.

Contact Our Arlington Heights Defective Drugs Attorneys

If you have used Zantac in the past and you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to pursue compensation from the drug’s manufacturer. The attorneys of Newland & Newland, LLP can gather the evidence to demonstrate that the defective drug was responsible for your injuries. We will work to ensure that you are fully compensated for all of the resulting damages, including the medical treatment you received, any loss of income you have experienced, and your physical and emotional pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case, contact our Palatine defective drug injury lawyers at 847-797-8000.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-requests-removal-all-ranitidine-products-zantac-market

https://www.nfcr.org/blog/fda-recalls-popular-heartburn-drug-ranitidine-what-you-need-to-know/