You may be able to get your money back from Zantac purchases depending on where you originally obtained the medication. Some pharmaceutical retailers will allow consumers to bring in their Zantac medications for a refund or for a replacement for other acid-suppression medications. If you believe you developed cancer or another serious medical condition due to taking Zantac, you may have the legal right to file a lawsuit to compensate you for your medical bills and other losses.
Zantac Recall
Millions of Americans took Zantac for heartburn and acid reflux, and it grew to be one of the most popular drugs in the world for suppression of acid-producing symptoms. In 2019, a laboratory determined through testing that Zantac can test positive for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a known carcinogen. This discovery of this cancer-causing agent in Zantac was new information, however, for years the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Health Organization, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry listed NDMA as a known carcinogen.
Therefore, after additional testing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled Zantac from the marketplace. More testing revealed that the older a product containing ranitidine was, the greater the level of NDMA. Additionally, this testing showed that the levels were above any acceptable daily intake limit for the NDMA carcinogen.
Pharmaceutical Retailers
Some major pharmaceutical retailers made the decision to allow consumers to return their Zantac to the stores for a refund, or to replace their Zantac with another acid-suppression medication. Different stores had different policies regarding returns of Zantac, but some of the pharmaceutical retailers that may offer a monetary refund for originally purchasing Zantac in their stores could include CVS Pharmacy, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Sam’s Club, and Rite Aid. If you purchased Zantac in these or any other stores, you may want to contact them to see what their policy regarding refunds for Zantac is, and whether or not they will allow you to receive a cash reimbursement or exchange for a different medication.
Zantac and Cancer Lawsuits
If you believe you developed cancer after taking Zantac, you may be able to file a lawsuit regarding any monetary damages that you incurred such as medical bills or losses suffered. In some very recent and substantial news, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in MDL No. 2924 on February 6, 2020 consolidated 140 cases relating to cancer and Zantac in the Southern District of Florida under U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg. If you feel you developed cancer as a result of taking Zantac for any considerable amount of time, you may have the right to receive money back from Zantac manufacturers or the pharmaceutical company to compensate you for your medical bills and other losses.
What to Do When You Still Have Acid Reflux
If you no longer take Zantac, you may still suffer from symptoms related to acid reflux or heartburn. You should first consider seeking the advice of a medical professional or your healthcare provider regarding your next steps. Some people suffer from rebound acid production or dyspepsia (indigestion) after they wean off or immediately stop taking Zantac. You do have other options for acid-suppression that are over-the-counter medications, such as famotidine (Pepcid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), cimetidine (Tagamet), esomeprazole (Nexium), or omeprazole (Prilosec). Some of these are H2 blockers (Pepcid, Prevacid, and Tagamet), and others are stronger proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which would be Nexium or Prilosec. In some cases, you may be able to simply take something such as Tums to alleviate your symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux. Whatever your medical condition, consider visiting with your healthcare provider to give you the best options as to what will help you relieve your symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
Disposing of Zantac
If you make the decision not to get money back from Zantac and dispose of your medication by yourself, you should know that the FDA has strict protocols regarding the destruction or disposal of medications and drugs. If you still have Zantac or ranitidine-containing medications and want to simply get rid of them or dispose of them, please visit the FDA’s website to find out how exactly to destroy or dispose of these medications appropriately and safely.
How a Zantac Ranitidine Cancer Lawyer Can Help
You may be able to get money back from your Zantac purchase at a local pharmaceutical retailer. If you believe you developed cancer or another serious medical condition as a result of taking Zantac, you may have the legal right to compensation for your medical bills and losses. Contact our legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to help you understand how a Zantac ranitidine cancer lawyer can help you with your case, and help you understand your legal rights. Contact us today at (800) 635-1144 for a free consultation. There is no obligation and we may be able to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.