The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked stores to stop selling the heartburn drug Zantac after finding that a cancer-causing contaminant in the product can build up over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures.
The FDA advised individuals who take over-the-counter forms of the drug, also known as ranitidine, to stop taking any tablets or liquid that they have and not buy more. Individuals who take a prescription form of the medication should consult with their physician before discontinuing use, the agency said.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after regular use of Zantac or other ranitidine medications, you could be eligible for compensation.
Zantac Recall Law Firm in BostonThe Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers in Boston has years of experience in dealing with these types of claims and recovering maximum compensation for our clients and their families. Our dangerous medications attorneys aren’t afraid to take on big drug companies and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Our lawyers are actively investigating Zantac claims and keeping abreast of developments in this rapidly evolving area of litigation. Contact our law office today for a free and confidential consultation. There are no out-of-pocket fees unless we recover money for you.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers Can Help You with Your Zantac Cancer ClaimN-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, “is a probable human carcinogen” and “sustained higher levels of exposure may increase the risk of cancer in humans,” the FDA said in an April 1, 2020, news release. However, the federal agency also said it does not expect NDMA, which is a type of nitrosamine, to cause harm when ingested at low levels.
Other research suggests that NDMA causes liver damage as well as numerous types of cancer, including:
If you’ve developed any of these cancers after taking Zantac or its generic equivalent, ranitidine, you could be entitled to money damages to cover your doctor bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
The personal injury lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers can provide you with a free case evaluation and explain the options that you have under the law. These claims, which fall under the umbrella of product liability, have strict deadlines, so make sure you contact an attorney as soon as possible.
An attorney will gather evidence to show that Zantac was defective in design and that the drug’s labeling failed to warn consumers about its risks. An attorney will argue that the drug manufacturers knew or should have known about dangers associated with taking the medication.
If you’re a Zantac user who has developed a type of cancer not on this list, you still might be able to file a claim for your injuries. This a new area of the law and studies are still being performed to determine the types of cancers that could be caused by Zantac and other ranitidine drugs. Current research indicates that cancers related to the gastrointestinal system like stomach cancer, liver cancer and bladder cancer are most closely linked to Zantac use. Additional research could identify other types of cancer connected to Zantac.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Zantac Case?In order to proceed with a claim related to Zantac use, you will need to prove that you took Zantac or its generic equivalent and were diagnosed with cancer after taking the medication. Frequent use of the medication over a prolonged period of time will increase your chances of a successful outcome.
Here’s a list of some evidence that can help show you took Zantac and win your case:
These types of cases are complicated as they require proof that comes from proper medical documentation and reports and testimony from experts. It’s important to note that these claims are vigorously contested by deep-pocketed pharmaceutical companies more concerned with their own reputation and bottom line than your health and well-being. Keep in mind that big drug companies make billions of dollars in profits every year.
The Zantac lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have the resources and expertise to build a solid case and get you the compensation that you deserve. Our attorneys work with the top medical and drug industry experts in the nation.
Because many claims against pharmaceutical companies are resolved through settlements, retaining an attorney with top-notch negotiating skills is crucial. Our attorneys will fight to get you the largest settlement possible. If we can’t secure a settlement that sufficiently compensates you for your injuries, our law firm has the resources to take your claim all the way to the courtroom.
What Does the FDA’s Announcement Say?On April 1, 2020, the FDA announced that it is asking manufacturers to immediately pull all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine drugs from the market.
The agency said the withdraw is the latest step in an ongoing investigation of a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, in medications. The NDMA in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures, the agency explained.
The FDA said laboratory tests show that temperature and time raise the level of NDMA in some ranitidine products above the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms per day.
All forms of ranitidine are impacted, including injectable and compounded forms.
The agency had warned the public in September 2019 of potential risks and advised considering alternative treatments. The big chain pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart pulled the drugs from their shelves in 2019.
The FDA said it does not have scientific evidence to determine how long NDMA has been present in ranitidine products.
Why didn’t the FDA catch the health risks associated with Zantac when the drug was initially approved? The FDA said it’s continually gaining new knowledge about drugs and constantly evaluating quality and safety information over time. As testing methods improved in sophistication and sensitivity, the FDA said it was able to identify risks to consumers that previously had been unknown.
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical devices. The agency also ensures the safety of the country’s food supply, cosmetics and certain other products.
You can find more information about the FDA’s response to Zantac on the agency’s website.
The Basics on Zantac and Other Ranitidine MedicationsRanitidine medications are commonly known by the brand name Zantac. Zantac has been on the market since the early 1980s and has been used by millions of people. It was one of the first drugs to produce $1 billion in sales.
Zantac is an antacid and antihistamine commonly used to treat and prevent heartburn. Zantac is also used to treat stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions that cause a surplus of stomach acid.
Brands of the heartburn medication include:
Zantac is sold by the drug company Sanofi. The medication is available over the counter and by prescription. Prescription strength is used to treat and prevent more serious ulcers. Various companies sell generic versions of both over-the-counter and prescription versions of the drug.
Ranitidine is also used to treat animals.
What Should I Do If I Take Zantac or Another Ranitidine Medication?The FDA is advising consumers who take over-the-counter ranitidine to stop taking any of the medication that they currently have. Patients taking prescription ranitidine should consult with their health care professional about other treatment options before stopping the medicine, the agency said.
Other drugs have been approved for the same or similar uses. The FDA said its testing has not found NDMA in products used for similar treatment such as Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine), Nexium (esomeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole) or Prilosec (omeprazole).
The FDA said it would consider allowing ranitidine products back on the market if a company can show through scientific data that its ranitidine product is stable and NDMA levels do not increase over time to unsafe levels.
Consumers should properly dispose of any ranitidine products and not buy more of it, the agency said. Consumers can follow disposal instructions printed in the product’s medication guide or insert.
To learn more about how our dangerous medications attorneys can help you with your Zantac or ranitidine cancer claim, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today at (617) 777-7777 or using our online form.