Zantac

What is Zantac?

Zantac is a heartburn medication that contains the active ingredient Ranitidine.

Lawsuits allege that Ranitidine can break down to form a carcinogen known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This can cause cancer of the bladder, kidney, colon, and stomach.

On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, requested that all Zantac products be removed from the market.

Zantac has been sold in the US for over 30 years.

What is NDMA?

N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, is a probable human carcinogen and known environmental contaminant found in water and foods.

While the levels found in food and water are well below FDA standards, “sustained higher levels of exposure may increase the risk of cancer in humans” (source).

Many drug companies that produce Ranitidine products, which can break down to form NDMA, have recalled these products.

The companies recalling Ranitidine include Glenmark Pharmaceutical Inc., Appco Pharma LLC, Aurobindo Pharma USA, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Perrigo, Novitium Pharma, and Lannett Company.

NDMA Research

According to Mass Tort Nexus, “Research by supplement company Valisure, titled Valisure Detects NDMA in Ranitidine, “found that NDMA was the result of the; ‘inherent instability’ of the ranitidine molecule.

This means that all manufacturers, brand or generic, and all lots of ranitidine-containing medications are affected and could generate high levels of NDMA in the human body.”

Additionally, a 2016 study on oral intake of Ranitidine suggested that 24 hours after intake of Ranitidine, NDMA in healthy volunteers urine increased 400 times from 110 to 47,600 ng.

After the FDA’s September 2019 statement that Zantac, and other Ranitidine products, may cause cancer, they continued to study Ranitinde.

As of April 1, 2020, the FDA released more data that confirmed that NDMA levels increase in ranitidine even under normal storage conditions.

Additionally, the FDA says, “The testing also showed that the older a ranitidine product is, or the longer the length of time since it was manufactured, the greater the level of NDMA.”

Higher temperatures significantly increase levels of Ranitidine, including temperatures the product may be exposed to during distribution and handling by consumers.

This can cause cancer in those who take it.

What side effects could you experience after taking Zantac?

As mentioned above, many people who have taken Zantac have experienced cancer of the bladder, kidney, colon, and stomach.

You may also have experienced other cancers like cancer of the brain, thyroid, rectum, esophagus, intestines, liver, lung, ovaries, pancreas, prostate, testicles, uterus, or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

Additionally, people who used Zantac during their first trimester of pregnancy have experienced midline birth defects including cleft palate, murmurs, etc.

Do you qualify for compensation?

There are a few ways that you can qualify for compensation due to injury from the drug Zantac.

For more information on how you can qualify due to a cancer diagnosis, please fill out our pre-qualification form.

Brand Use Only

If you only used brand-name Zantac, either prescription or OTC, you have a viable case.

Generic Use Only

If you only took generic ranitidine (regardless if prescription or OTC) we cannot pursue the case – unless you live in IL, CA, MA, or VT.
If you only took prescription “Zantac” post-2009, then you only ingested generic ranitidine and we cannot pursue the case unless you live in IL, CA, MA, or VT.

Adult Cases

At least 1 year of use prior to cancer diagnosis
Minimum of 300 mg/week during 1-year period of use; and
No more than 10 years since last use prior to cancer diagnosis

Prenatal Exposure Cases

At least 6 mos. of use during pregnancy
Minimum of 300 mg/week during 6 months of pregnancy; and
No more than 5 years after birth until diagnosis of cancer

Pediatric Exposure Cases

At least 1 year of use prior to cancer diagnosis
Minimum of 150 mg/week during 1-year period of use
No more than 1 year since last use prior to cancer diagnosis

Did you or a loved one take Zantac?

You may be entitled to compensation if you meet the above requirements, and we would highly recommend working with a personal injury lawyer during this complex process.

The experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at VanDerGinst Law can help you make sense of your case and work with the big insurance companies to get you a fair settlement.

If you believe you have been injured due to Zantac use:

Fill Out Our Pre-Qualification Form

The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.