Zantac Lawsuit Attorneys
Did you take Zantac for heartburn, stomach ulcers, acid reflux, or similar conditions? Did you develop cancer that could potentially be linked to Zantac? This medicine has been recalled because it contains contaminants that are known to cause cancer.
Spiros Law, P.C. represents people who have been harmed by Zantac, and we want to help you. Medicine should be beneficial, not harmful. Drug manufacturers have a crucial responsibility to make sure that their products are safe. Consumers must be able to trust that what we put in our bodies has been rigorously tested to be pure and safe. The medication we take should provide us with relief from ailments and not endanger our health. If a drug like Zantac has harmed you or a loved one, we can put our broad resources towards defending your rights against the manufacturer.
Since 2005, the knowledgeable and compassionate trial attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. have been defending injured people and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. If your health has been harmed by Zantac, you may be eligible for compensation for the costs associated with your treatment and recovery. Don’t allow your financial stability to be threatened by the side effects of a defective drug you should have been warned about.
Zantac Facts
Zantac was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1983, and it became the world’s best-selling drug in 1988. Generic versions of Zantac hit the market in 1997, and over-the-counter (OTC) versions were approved in 2004 to treat heartburn.
Zantac has been taken for numerous health conditions that are caused by the stomach producing too much acid. The drug is classified as an H2 blocker. Histamine is a chemical that occurs naturally and stimulates H2 receptors to produce stomach acid to digest food. H2 blockers hinder the H2 receptors to reduce histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in the lining of the stomach. Once the acid is decreased, there is relief from the uncomfortable symptoms.
People who suffered from digestive conditions obtained Zantac in two ways. It was either prescribed to them by a medical professional when they sought treatment, or it was purchased in the over-the-counter (OTC) form at a pharmacy or drug store.
Health Discoveries About Zantac
Valisure, an online pharmacy, discovered very high levels of a chemical called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some batches of Zantac and also in the generic form called ranitidine. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and classified as a substance that can cause cancer. Valisure found these high levels of NDMA in every lot they tested which included multiple manufacturers and dosage forms.
According to the FDA, a safe daily intake of NDMA is no more than 96 nanograms (ng). Valisure’s testing found 3,267,968 ng of NDMA in Zantac Cool Mint and 2,511,469 ng in Zantac OTC. The pharmacy informed the FDA of its findings in September of 2019 and requested a recall of the drug through a citizen petition.
Health concerns are based on both the amounts of NDMA in ranitidine and how long a person takes the medication. People who used it for more than a month are at greater possible risk for NDMA overexposure than those who used ranitidine on a short-term basis. Symptoms of NDMA overexposure include dizziness, fever, yellowing of the skin, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The more severe symptoms of reduced kidney and lung function are also possible with very high levels of NDMA.
The FDA did not immediately call for individuals to stop taking ranitidine. It did advise that patients taking the prescription form of ranitidine should contact their health care professional about other treatment options. The FDA also stated that people who were taking the over-the-counter form of ranitidine could choose one of the multiple other OTC medicines approved for their condition.
NDMA contamination in drugs has happened before. Recalls and lawsuits surrounding contamination in the drug, Valsartan, occurred in 2018.
On October 18, 2019, Sanofi commenced a voluntary recall of the following Zantac OTC products in the United States:
- Zantac 150
- Zantac 150 Cool Mint
- Zantac 75
Wholesalers and retailers were asked to immediately stop the distribution and sale of these products and return the remaining stock of Zantac to Sanofi.
Other Serious Zantac Side Effects
The link to cancer is a frightening possible outcome from taking Zantac, but there are other side effects. In addition to the very common side effects of headache, constipation, and diarrhea, there are other more severe symptoms that Zantac users can experience including:
- Blurred vision
- Mental or mood changes (depression, agitation, confusion, hallucinations)
- Easy bleeding and/or bruising
- Severe fatigue
- Signs of infection (persistent sore throat, fever, chills)
- Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- Severe stomach or abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Enlarged breasts
- Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes
In rare cases, a very serious allergic reaction to this drug can occur that requires immediate medical help. These symptoms include:
- Rash
- Itching or swelling of face, tongue, or throat
- Severe dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
Zantac Lawsuits
As soon as the FDA released Valisure’s findings on ranitidine, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the Zantac manufacturer Sanofi. The lawsuit accused the company of deceiving consumers because it did not disclose the presence of NDMA in the drug on package labels, even though they knew or had reason to know that those who took the product were exposed to high levels of the contaminant.
Zantac lawsuits claim that because these high levels of NDMA were in the medication, people who took it had a higher risk of developing bladder, stomach, and other cancers and may be eligible for compensation from the manufacturer.
Previous lawsuits dating back to 1981 argued that drug manufacturers were aware of the dangers of NDMA. Studies had been done about how the potential for NDMA forming in the body increases when ranitidine comes in contact with nitrite, a substance found in popular foods like bacon and grilled meat. Lawsuits stated that drug makers failed to warn the public, despite having knowledge of this information.
Am I Eligible To File a Zantac Lawsuit?
If you believe your health conditions are caused by taking Zantac, contact Spiros Law, P.C. today. We are here to answer any questions you have, and we can properly evaluate your situation and gather evidence to build a case. In general, you need to have a cancer diagnosis, and we need to be able to prove you used Zantac and there is a connection between the Zantac and your diagnosis.
Cancer Diagnosis
Zantac lawsuits are mainly focused on cancer, and potential claimants would have to have been diagnosed with one of the types of cancer that NDMA has been linked to. These are stomach, bladder, pancreatic, liver, and esophageal cancers.
Proven Zantac Use
You must be able to prove that you used Zantac or another ranitidine product to imply that it may be the cause of cancer. If you took the prescription form, your medical records will provide proof that a prescription was written for you. If you used the OTC Zantac, you must be able to produce receipts or other evidence that you purchased it.
Cancer Diagnosis Due to Zantac
The amount of medication and the length of time you took it matters. Typically, if you took a higher dose of Zantac and used it for at least a year before you were diagnosed with cancer, it is easier to prove the connection.
What Can Spiros Law, P.C. Do to Help Me?
You have the right to trust that the medication you take is safe and that its benefits are greater than any risk to your health. We all have to put our trust in the wealthy and powerful pharmaceutical companies, which sometimes try to conceal the fact that there is controversy surrounding the design, manufacturing, or marketing of their products. Drug manufacturers have large, experienced legal teams at their disposal, so if you want to take them on, you need a lawyer with specialized knowledge.
You should work with an attorney who knows product liability law and has the knowledge and resources to stand up to pharmaceutical companies. Spiros Law, P.C. will give you the best chance at the fair compensation you deserve.
The lawyers at Spiros Law, P.C. offer free case evaluations to help individuals determine whether they may have a Zantac claim. If you hire us, it will not cost you anything upfront. Our fee will be charged only if we recover money for you.
Contact Us Today
At Spiros Law, P.C., our defective drug attorneys work with people just like you who have experienced serious health conditions from taking Zantac. We will partner with you to represent your best interest and assist you in obtaining the justice and compensation you are owed. Don’t put off receiving the support we can give you. Call us at (815) 929-9292.
The official warnings about Zantac can be read here:
FDA: Zantac/ranitidine safety information
Voluntary Recall: FDA statement on Sanofi recall
