After Being Linked with Cancer, Zantac Was Pulled from Shelves
Late in 2019, an independent research lab blew the whistle on drugmaker Sanofi, the maker of Zantac. The drug, this lab alleged, and any generics of it were responsible for increasing patient levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine, a known carcinogen. Also called NDMA, the chemical is a common element in lab tests, where it’s used to induce cancer in rats. The FDA immediately requested a voluntary recall of the drugs; shortly, pharmaceutical companies began pulling them from shelves.
If you or a loved one used Zantac or other ranitidine-based drugs, which were most often used for:
- heartburn,
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or
- peptic ulcers,
you could be at increased risk of cancer due to NDMA exposure. Patients who were long-term, steady users of the drug are much more likely to be affected than those who took it irregularly or for a short period of time. Those in the first category who have been diagnosed with certain cancers may be eligible to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Cancers Linked to Zantac
Though NDMA can be created organically, there is no “safe” amount of the substance for humans. As part of the N-nitrosamine family, it is linked with other dangerous cancer-causing agents. NDMA has the power to alter DNA, resulting in mutations that cause cancerous growths.The substance has been linked to cancers of the esophagus, stomach, kidney, liver, bladder, prostate, and colon. It has also been implicated in blood cancers including leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
However, there is a possibility NDMA can cause other cancers as well—because the substance spreads through your bloodstream, its effects are not confined to any specific part of your body. We therefore encourage longtime users of Zantac or other ranitidine-based heartburn drugs to reach out if you have received a cancer diagnosis. Though the hazards of NDMA exposure have been proven, this issue is so new no one knows exactly how much risk Zantac confers on patients who use the drug for years.When you share your story with us, we can help you investigate whether you may be able to file for compensation—and whether others like you can get help, too.
Why Zantac Causes Cancer
The scary truth uncovered by the lab researching Zantac is not that the drug was contaminated. It’s that, because of your stomach acids, Zantac degrades into multiple smaller particles over time. One of those particles is NDMA.
Though the FDA’s study of ranitidine found a lower residual NDMA concentration than the first lab reported, the number was still higher than the agency’s acceptable limits for the substance. The drugmaker, Sanofi, initially stated their voluntary recall was due to NDMA contamination. They implied the numbers found by initial tests were not typical, and only a small batch of the medication carried potential dangers. However, consumers still do not have the option to buy Zantac or ranitidine generics at drug stores. Sanofi’s decision to keep this moneymaker off the shelves says more about the potential risk than any statement made by their PR team could.
We’re Experienced in Pharmaceutical Cases
Dangerous drugs and medical devices slip through cracks in our inspection process too frequently. We have represented many clients who were injured by the products they counted on to improve their health. These cases are not easy. Pharmaceutical and medical companies have millions to spend on lawyers who come armed with highly technical arguments. Challenging them requires medical knowledge and top-tier consultants, both of which our team can offer.
Developing cancer or any other illness simply because a company failed to fully test a medication is outrageous. We are here to help you fight back against Big Pharma when their drive for profit eclipses the need for consumer safety. You deserve compensation to cover the medical expenses and other inconveniences caused by an unsafe drug. And, the company that sold that drug deserves to face justice for what they’ve done.
