If you have been diagnosed with cancer after regularly taking the heartburn medication Zantac or a generic version, you should discuss your legal options with a knowledgeable lawyer. Zantac and generic heartburn medications containing ranitidine have been removed from the market because of concerns about high levels of probable cancer-causing impurities. You may have a right to file a ranitidine lawsuit and hold the drug manufacturer accountable.
The attorneys at Joye Law Firm are reviewing potential Zantac cancer claims. Numerous Zantac lawsuits have been filed against the makers of medications containing ranitidine, and more lawsuits are expected. More than 140 Zantac cancer lawsuits demanding compensation for injuries caused by ranitidine are filed as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL number 2924) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuits contend the manufacturer of Zantac and generic ranitidine heartburn medications knew or should have known that their medications exposed consumers to NDMA and elevated cancer risks. NDMA is a probable cause of cancer.
Our attorneys at Joye Law Firm are committed to helping South Carolinians who have been harmed by unsafe drugs hold pharmaceutical companies fully responsible. We have been helping injured people in South Carolina stand up for their legal rights for more than 50 years. We cannot guarantee any specific result in a Zantac cancer lawsuit. But our record of verdicts and settlements reflects the time and resources we put into each case and our experience handling complex product liability cases. Our law firm is honored by the testimonials of former clients.
Call us at 888-324-3100 to discuss your legal rights to file a ranitidine cancer lawsuit.
What is Zantac?
Zantac is a brand name medication that prevents and relieves symptoms of heartburn related to acid indigestion and gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD). It acts to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
Zantac was developed by Glaxo, a company that is now part of GlaxoSmithKline PLC, and was introduced onto the market in 1983. It became a best-selling drug used by millions of Americans who suffered from heartburn and acid reflux.
Since 2017, the drug maker Sanofi-Aventis, U.S. has held the rights to sell over-the-counter Zantac in the U.S. Before that, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., manufactured over-the-counter Zantac from 2006 to 2017.
Sanofi recently announced a voluntary recall of Zantac products in the United States.
What is Ranitidine?
Ranitidine is the active ingredient in Zantac and in generic over-the-counter and prescription versions of the medication. It is approved for treatment of ulcers in the stomach and treatment of GERD. Over-the-counter ranitidine is taken by consumers to relieve heartburn related to acid indigestion and sour stomach.
The lawsuit alleges the ranitidine molecule, the active ingredient in the medication, can break down over time and form the carcinogen NDMA.
The FDA has advised that consumers should stop taking any over-the-counter ranitidine products they currently have in their medicine cabinets. Patients taking prescription ranitidine should talk with their health provider about alternative treatment options before stopping the medicine. Multiple drugs are approved for similar uses as ranitidine.
What is NDMA and what kind of cancer can it cause?
Nitrosodimethylamine, commonly known as NDMA, is an environmental contaminant that can be formed unintentionally during the manufacturing process. It has been shown to be a potent cause of cancer in animals and is classified by the World Health Organization as a probable cause of cancer in humans.
The FDA recognizes the danger of NDMA and has strict daily exposure limits for the compound in pharmaceuticals.
Through testing, the FDA has found that levels of NDMA in some ranitidine products may increase with time and when stored at temperatures higher than room temperatures. The presence of NDMA in ranitidine products may far exceed the acceptable daily intake limits and pose a health risk to consumers.
Nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above accepted levels for a period of time.
Ranitidine is taken by mouth. It is believed that the NDMA in ranitidine medications could lead to cancers in the digestive tract including:
- Stomach cancer
- Small intestine / duodenal cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer.
Our attorneys at Joye Law Firm can review your medical diagnosis and determine whether filing a Zantac cancer lawsuit is appropriate in your particular situation.
FDA Timeline of Warnings and Recalls
September 9, 2019—Valisure LLC, an online pharmacy, notified the FDA that its testing had detected extremely high levels of Nitrosamine (NDMA), a potential carcinogen, in all lots of ranitidine products it tested across multiple manufacturers and dosage levels. Valisure filed a citizen petition requesting that the FDA recall and suspend the sale of all products containing ranitidine because of the significant risk to public safety.
September 13, 2019—The FDA issues an alert to health care professionals and patients regarding NDMA found in samples of ranitidine. It says it’s evaluating whether the levels pose a risk to patients. The agency recommends that manufacturers test their products for NDMA.
September 24, 2019—The FDA announced voluntary recall of ranitidine capsules distributed by Sandoz Inc. after detection of an NDMA impurity. It’s the first of many recalls to follow.
October 2, 2019—The FDA announces that it is testing ranitidine products from multiple manufacturers and asks manufacturers of ranitidine to conduct their own lab testing to assess the levels of NDMA in their products.
October 12, 2019—The FDA says it has advised companies to recall their ranitidine if testing shows levels of NDMA above the acceptable daily intake levels.
October 18, 2019— Sanofi announced a voluntary recall of brand name Zantac over-the-counter medication in the U.S. and Canada.
October 23, 2019—The FDA alerts health care professionals and patients of two additional recalls. Sanofi recalls over-the-counter ranitidine due to possible NDMA contamination. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. recalls all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine tablets and capsules.
October 28, 2019—The FDA announces voluntary recalls of generic ranitidine by three additional companies.
November 1, 2019—The FDA says it has found low levels of NDMA in ranitidine, but some that still exceed levels that the FDA says are safe in medications. The FDA asks companies to voluntarily recall products if they find unacceptable levels of NDMA in their products.
November 12, 2019—The FDA announces two additional voluntary recalls of ranitidine.
January 8, 2020—The FDA announced that Appco Pharma LLC and Northwind Pharmaceuticals are recalling ranitidine products.
February 6, 2020—The U.S. Judicial Panel of Multi-District Ligation assigns the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to handle the multi-district litigation involving Zantac cancer lawsuits.
April 1, 2020—FDA requests removal of all prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine products from the market immediately.
How Joye Law Firm Can Help
Drug manufacturers have a legal responsibility to make and market drugs that are effective and safe when taken as directed. The makers of Zantac and ranitidine heartburn medications have a legal duty to warn health care providers and patients of any dangers of Zantac.
If you or a member of your family has received a cancer diagnosis, you will need the help of a product liability lawyer to determine whether the cancer was linked to taking Zantac or generic ranitidine on a regular basis. We can review your medical records and discuss whether filing a Zantac cancer lawsuit is in order. We do not charge for the initial consultation.
Cases involving pharmaceutical companies are complicated and require the involvement of a law firm with extensive resources to pursue a full investigation.
Joye Law Firm has been in business more than 50 years. Our mission involves standing up for South Carolinians who have been harmed through the negligence of others, such as big pharmaceutical companies. If we represent you, we will handle the case on a contingency fee basis. You will not have any upfront costs and will only pay a legal fee if we are successful in securing compensation for you.
We have offices in Charleston, Columbia, Clinton and Myrtle Beach and handle cases for clients throughout South Carolina. We are committed to giving back to the communities we serve and established Joye in the Community to direct our charitable giving efforts.
Call a South Carolina Zantac Cancer Lawyer
If you or a loved one took Zantac or a generic ranitidine medication on a regular basis and you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you may be entitled to file a ranitidine cancer lawsuit to seek compensation for your medical care, pain and suffering and other expenses. Our product liability attorneys at Joye Law Firm can review your specific situation and outline your legal options during a no-obligation consultation. Call us today.
