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 may cause cancer of the bladder, kidney, colon, and stomach, among other places.
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 have a chemical reaction and 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, among others.
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 than room temperatures significantly increase levels of NDMA, including temperatures the product may be exposed to during distribution and handling by consumers.
This may 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 drug 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:
Read More About Zantac and the Lawsuit
- Zantac For Babies (You May Want to Stop This Medication)
Is there a Zantac for babies? What about the recent recall? We answer these questions and more. We also tell you how you can seek compensation for damages.
- Zantac Town Hall Hosted by VanDerGinst Law ft. Mass Tort Nexus
Have you taken the heartburn drug Zantac? If so, you will want to attend our Zantac Town Hall Facebook Live on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm CDT!
- Ranitidine: Dangers, Lawsuits, and What You Need To Know
Recent research has suggested that there may be a link between ranitidine and cancer. Learn about ranitidine lawsuits and how you can seek compensation.
- Zantac Birth Defects: Unfortunate Side Effects and Seeking Compensation
Zantac is supposed to be safe to take during pregnancy. Recent research is finding that this may not be true. Zantac birth defects are a possibility.
- Zantac Cancer: Types and Seeking Compensation
There has been a lot of news recently about the safety of taking Zantac. Does the medication cause certain types of cancer? Learn more.
- The Zantac Recall: A Timeline
There is a Zantac recall by the FDA based on alleged high level of NDMA. If you have cancer and took Zantac, you may be eligible for compensation.
- Is There a Zantac Class-Action Lawsuit?
Zantac lawsuits fall into two main categories: mass tort claims and class action claims. Is Zantac a class action Lawsuit or mass tort? Do you have a case?
- Zantac Thyroid Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including thyroid cancer. Contact us today to discuss your case.
- Zantac Colorectal Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including colorectal cancer. Contact us to discuss your case.
- Zantac Lung Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including lung cancer. Contact us today to discuss your case.
- Zantac Bladder Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including bladder cancer. Contact us today to discuss your case.
- Zantac Intestinal Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including intestinal cancer. Contact us to discuss your case.
- Zantac Stomach Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including stomach cancer. Contact us today to discuss your case.
- Zantac Pancreatic Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including pancreatic cancer. Contact us to discuss your case.
- Zantac Kidney Cancer: Qualifying For A Lawsuit
Zantac has been found to break down into a carcinogen, likely causing many forms of cancer, including kidney cancer. Contact us today to discuss your case.
- Chicago Zantac Lawsuit Attorney
We would like to issue a warning to Chicago residents about a nationwide recall of Zantac. Contact a Chicago Zantac Lawsuit Attorney for more information.
- Cedar Rapids Zantac Lawsuit Attorney
We would like to issue a warning to Cedar Rapids residents about a nationwide recall of Zantac. Contact a Cedar Rapids Zantac Lawsuit Attorney for more information.
- Quad Cities Zantac Lawsuit Attorney
We would like to issue a warning to Quad Cities residents about a nationwide recall of Zantac. Contact a Quad Cities Zantac Lawsuit Attorney for more information.
- Des Moines Zantac Lawsuit Attorney
We would like to issue a warning to Des Moines residents about a nationwide recall of Zantac. Contact a Des Moines Zantac Lawsuit Attorney for more information.
- VanDerGinst Law Opening Cases Against Zantac
VanDerGinst Law P.C. is currently opening cases for persons who have received a cancer diagnosis after prolonged use of the medication Zantac.
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.