Anyone who suffered health issues or bodily injury from the use of Zantac can file a Zantac lawsuit. Zantac was recently found to contain dangerous amounts of NDMA, a highly toxic chemical. NDMA exposure can cause liver damage in the short-term. Over the long term, it increases the risk of developing tumors and other illnesses in the kidneys, lungs, and liver.
If you used Zantac and have any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor immediately.
Zantac, GERD, and NDMA
Zantac was first marketed as a prescription drug for the control and management of heartburn, stomach ulcers, and GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is a chronic illness in which acids from the stomach are able to make their way past the sphincter, a cap-like muscle at the top of the stomach that prevents the back-flow of the contents of the stomach up the esophagus.
Lifestyle changes and changes in dietary trends increased the incidence rate of stomach ulcers and related symptoms across the entire population over the last several decades. According to the Cleveland Clinic, over five million hospital visits every year are now the result of symptoms related to GERD.
Zantac proved highly effective in treating such disorders. With a wide patient base looking for treatments that were cost-effective and easy to administer, Zantac was a clear winner. As late as 2018, it generated sales of over $140 million in the United States alone, and global sales figures were many times higher.
Recalling Zantac
However, in late 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a recall of Zantac, citing reports that ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac, either contained or was contaminated with NDMA or that it reacted with water and gastric juices to release dangerous levels of NDMA in the body.
Initial reports cited inadvertent contamination of ranitidine at offshore manufacturers as the likely culprit, but in an overabundance of caution, the FDA prohibited the sale of Zantac until further tests could be conducted. It was entirely possible that ranitidine contained NDMA all along but was simply never detected. The other possibility that NDMA was released upon reaction with water or gastric juices was also considered but later disproved.
The fact remained, however, that millions of Americans took Zantac, many of them on a regular basis over the course of many years. The link between NDMA and cancer in animals is already established, and it is highly likely that it causes cancer in humans as well, although the connection between human cancers and NDMA is not yet formally proven. Furthermore, the presence of NDMA in Zantac is also established, although the extent of contamination is currently being investigated.
Based on these facts, if you used Zantac and developed any of the symptoms of NDMA poisoning, you may have grounds for a product liability case.
Filing a Zantac Lawsuit
You can file a Zantac lawsuit if you can prove that Zantac caused your illnesses. Lawsuits against the manufacturer of Zantac will allege that the manufacturer knew–or should have known–about the presence of NDMA in its drugs. It should also have known that certain lots were contaminated–if the isolated overseas contamination theory proves to be correct. A failure on the part of the manufacturer to prevent harm to Zantac users and to pull the drug off shelves in a timely fashion is the basis for most Zantac lawsuits.
Beyond cancer and organ damage, Zantac is also known to affect the way the body absorbs various nutrients. Certain types of bacteria occur naturally in the gut. These bacteria help in nutrient absorption. By changing the way the stomach produces acid, Zantac can prevent the healthy growth of these bacteria. In their absence, the body may be unable to absorb many nutrients needed for good health.
Several studies connected the use of histamine blockers such as Zantac and PPIs that are used to control acid reflux with deficiencies of vitamin B-12 and various minerals. Some patients suffer an increased risk of jaundice, hepatitis, skin rashes, and upper respiratory illnesses as a result. You can file a Zantac lawsuit if you suffered or currently suffer any of these illnesses as well.
Seeking a Financial Award with the Help of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
Based on your Zantac usage history and the symptoms you have, we will help you seek compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lower quality of life
- Testing and diagnosis fees
Whether you used Zantac for a long time or only for short-term control of indigestion or related illnesses, you can file a Zantac lawsuit, so give us a call to investigate your case. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we handle Zantac and cancer cases, including cases that involve NDMA poisoning and illnesses that result from vitamin deficiency linked to Zantac use. Call us at (800) 794-0444 for a free case evaluation.