Hundreds of lawsuits filed by Zantac, ranitidine users diagnosed with cancer
In 2019, the heartburn medications Zantac and ranitidine were recalled and studies showed that they were contaminated with a chemical that could increase the cancer risk of patients who were treated with these drugs. Consumers who used Zantac or ranitidine and were diagnosed with cancer may qualify to file a lawsuit and receive compensation for their injuries.
Zantac and its generic equivalent, ranitidine, are part of a class of acid-reducing medications known as histamine 2 antagonists, or H2 blockers. These drugs are designed to treat conditions that are caused by the excess production of stomach acid in the body, including heartburn, acid reflux, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Concerns about the cancer risks of Zantac and ranitidine first arose in 2019, when tests showed that these drugs were contaminated with a chemical known as NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. After the FDA warned about the increased risk of cancer associated with exposure to NDMA, several companies who manufacture these drugs announced a global recall of Zantac and ranitidine.
Pharmacy chains across the U.S. — including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid — pulled Zantac and ranitidine from sales in response to concerns about the cancer risk associated with these drugs. In April 2020, the FDA ordered companies that manufacture the heartburn medications to remove prescription and over-the-counter formulations of Zantac and ranitidine from the market.
Zantac Lawsuits Filed Against Manufacturers and Retailers
The first lawsuit against the manufacturers of Zantac and ranitidine was filed in 2019 in California. Since then, thousands of Americans who were diagnosed with cancer after using these heartburn medications have also filed claims against drug manufacturers.
Because of the many Zantac and ranitidine lawsuits that have been filed since these drugs were recalled, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was created in Florida in 2020 to help the courts handle these cases.
Currently, the Florida Zantac MDL is handling about 230 lawsuits filed against companies who manufactured or sold Zantac. Some of the companies that have been named so far in the Zantac litigation include Sanofi-Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. However, legal experts expect that hundreds of additional Zantac lawsuits will be filed.
The lawsuits filed against makers and sellers of Zantac and ranitidine have alleged that these companies knew that when ranitidine was metabolized by the human body, it could turn into NDMA and place patients at an increased cancer risk. The lawsuits allege that although drugmakers knew about these risks, they failed to disclose them either to health regulators or patients who were using these drugs.
In addition to the numerous personal injury lawsuits that have already been filed against the makers of Zantac and ranitidine, these companies are also facing several class action lawsuits on behalf of patients who were prescribed or used these medications.
Free Legal Consultation for Zantac and Ranitidine Diagnosed With Cancer
If you or a loved one used Zantac or generic ranitidine and were diagnosed with cancer, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. The first step in finding out whether you may qualify to file a claim is to speak with an experienced pharmaceutical liability attorney, who can walk you through the first steps in filing a case and advise you regarding your legal rights.
The lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend have filed thousands of lawsuits across the U.S. on behalf of consumers who have been injured by dangerous drugs, defective medical products, and other consumer products. Our attorneys believe that all Americans should have the right to professional, experienced legal counsel to ensure that their rights are protected.
For more information about filing a Zantac lawsuit and to find out whether you may be eligible to take legal action, contact the lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend for your free legal consultation. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 1-866-806-8117, or by answering a few questions on our free case evaluation form, which is located on the right side of this page.