Zantac, a popular over-the-counter heartburn relief medication, is also known by its generic name, ranitidine, and comes in certain prescription forms. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported findings that Zantac and ranitidine contained N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is:
- A contaminant classified as a “probable carcinogen,” per Harvard Health Publishing
- The byproduct of degraded rocket fuel and pesticides, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
- The reason why multiple drug makers have recalled their brand-name versions of ranitidine
The finding that NDMA is present in Zantac and other forms of ranitidine has led to a series of recalls and lawsuits. If you or a loved one took Zantac, generic ranitidine, or another brand-name version of ranitidine, then you could have reason to bring or join a lawsuit.
A Zantac ranitidine cancer lawyer may be able to assist you in exploring and bringing any legal action that you deem necessary. Call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for a free consultation.
A History of Zantac and Ranitidine
According to an article by USA Today, warning signs about the potential danger of Zantac date back to its earliest days as a consumer drug in the 1980s. Zantac first gained FDA approval in 1984, despite the apparent possibility that the inherent nature of ranitidine could lead to the production of NDMA in Zantac and its alternative forms.
Despite the now-publicized danger of ingesting the pollutant NDMA in Zantac and ranitidine, the heartburn medication would go on to become the best-selling drug in the world at one point. This seeming contradiction may indicate serious failures by:
- The various companies that have manufactured Zantac, ranitidine, and other brand-name versions of the medication over the years
- Regulators, possibly including but not limited to the Food and Drug Administration
- Medical professionals who were aware of possible red flags with Zantac and ranitidine yet ignored them in prescribing patients prescription-strength ranitidine
Some of the conditions for which Zantac or ranitidine could be taken or prescribed, according to MedlinePlus, include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can cause serious harm to the esophagus as well as discomfort characterized as heartburn
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions that prompt the overproduction of acid in the stomach, potentially leading to more serious health conditions
- Stomach ulcers
While the overproduction of stomach acid necessitates treatment, patients have a right to know the dangers of taking any medication, ranitidine, and Zantac included. Yet, it was only on April 1, 2020, that the FDA formally requested the removal of products containing ranitidine, including Zantac, from production by the drugs’ manufacturers.
This failure to inform patients of the risks associated with Zantac and ranitidine is at the heart of emergent lawsuits against various potentially liable parties. If you or your loved one have developed cancer after taking Zantac or ranitidine, a Zantac ranitidine cancer lawyer may bring a lawsuit on your behalf.
Call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 for a free consultation.
Conditions That May Result from NDMA In Zantac
According to a public health statement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), exposure to unsafe levels of NDMA could contribute to or cause:
- Severe liver damage
- Internal bleeding
- Liver disease, possibly including liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Various other forms of cancer
To better understand the possible or likely danger that could come from consuming unsafe levels of NDMA, especially over significant periods of time, consider where else the chemical compound may be found. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), possible sites of NDMA include:
- Wastewater
- Degraded rocket fuel
- Contaminated drinking water
- Pesticides
- Industrial factories
If you or a loved one ingested NDMA through Zantac, ranitidine, or another medication without warning, then you could be eligible for compensation through one or more lawsuits.
Who May Be Eligible for a Zantac or Ranitidine Lawsuit
Recall requests by the FDA for drugs containing ranitidine, including Zantac, have opened the doors—and possibly floodgates—for lawsuits against various parties who may have acted negligently with respect to Zantac and ranitidine.
Some of the factors that may impact your eligibility for an individual or class-action lawsuit pertaining to ranitidine or Zantac may include:
- The specific form of ranitidine that you used, and whether that medication has been officially recalled
- The duration of time for which you took the medication
- Whether your medication was over-the-counter or prescription-strength
Revelations about the presence of NDMA in ranitidine, Zantac, and other brand-name alternatives are still relatively fresh. The law regarding the liability of various parties involved in manufacturing, regulating, and prescribing these medications has yet to settle official precedent.
If you choose to bring a lawsuit, you may be entering somewhat uncharted legal waters, and you can enlist a Zantac ranitidine cancer lawyer to assist you in your legal fight for compensation.
A Lawyer Could Lead Your Zantac Lawsuit
Whether you are considering a lawsuit because of ranitidine, Zantac, or another medication containing NDMA, a lawyer may handle your legal needs. Some of the specific ways that a lawyer may help include:
- Collecting medical records, purchase receipts, and other documentation that prove you have taken Zantac or an alternative
- Collecting medical records relating to your illness
- Consulting experts who may testify to links between Zantac and your illness
- Helping identify parties to name in an individual lawsuit
- Directing you toward existing class-action lawsuits for which you may qualify
- Guiding your lawsuit from start to finish
- Defending your rights
- Fighting for the compensation that you may be entitled to
Call Our Team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC Today
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Illness-related losses in your income
- Permanent harm from your illness
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
A Zantac ranitidine cancer lawyer may help you make critical decisions regarding any lawsuit that you choose to initiate or join. Call our team at the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today at (571) 229-1800 to learn more about how we may be able to assist you with a Zantac or ranitidine lawsuit.