Medical Drugs
Zantac Lawsuit
No longer accepting claims for this case
Heartburn can be frustrating to manage and can also be incredibly painful. Trying to live without heartburn by taking medication should not also come with worries that a medication may potentially cause cancer.
CARMEN SCOTT APPOINTED TO LEADERSHIP POSITION
May 8, 2020
U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg appoints Motley Rice medical attorney Carmen Scott to Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and co-chair of the Leadership Development Committee for Zantac national litigation that alleges the popular antacid may be linked to several forms of cancer. Read more.
The FDA previously requested drug manufacturers to immediately withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter generic ranitidine products from the U.S. market in April 2020 due to concerns that they may contain toxic N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The agency described its request as the latest step in its ongoing investigation into the presence of NDMA in medical drugs. The FDA said it found “unacceptable levels” of the toxin in some ranitidine products prior to requesting removal of the products from the U.S. market. Read more.
Zantac® (ranitidine) is a type of medication with histamine-2 blockers that help decrease the amount of acid created by the stomach. On Oct. 18, 2019, manufacturer Sanofi announced a voluntary recall of its over-the-counter brand-name heartburn drug Zantac due to it containing N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which may cause cancer in humans.
A January 2021 study that was conducted by Valisure and published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open found the drug may be a “significant source of NDMA” under acidic conditions similar to that of the stomach. A second phase of the study, published by MedRxiv, evaluated 10,347 cancer patients and found a “significant association” between the drug and elevated rates of breast, thyroid, bladder, and prostate cancers.
Zantac voluntary recall
Sold both over-the-counter and as a prescription, Zantac is one of H2 (histamine-2) blockers used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. Over-the-counter versions are used to treat common conditions such as heartburn and indigestion. Prescription options of the product are also available to treat and prevent more severe conditions, such as ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Zantac manufacturer Sanofi recalled certain batches of the drug in October 2019 amid concerns that they may contain NDMA, a possible carcinogen. The recall included:
- Zantac 150®
- Zantac 150® Cool Mint
- Zantac 75®
Several U.S. retailers removed Zantac from their shelves in the days and weeks leading up to the recall, including Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid.
Multiple manufacturers of generic versions of the popular antacid also announced recalls, including Appco Pharma and Northwind Pharmaceuticals in January 2020. Mylan also recalled batches of a similar prescribed antacid, nizatidine, due to the presence of the potentially toxic substance.
Appco Pharma’s recall included certain batches that were set to expire in April or May of 2021, while Northwind Pharmaceuticals’ recall included certain 150mg and 300 mg tablets. Read more.
The FDA asked all manufacturers of generic prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine to immediately withdraw the products from the U.S. market on April 1, 2020.
Zantac cancer lawsuit investigation
NDMA is an organic compound that may also be found in water and certain foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables, according to the FDA. Laboratory tests indicate that NDMA can cause cancer in humans. The FDA began investigating it and similar toxins in blood pressure and heart failure medications in 2018 and says that it has found “unacceptable levels” of NDMA in some ranitidine products.
Zantac lawsuit settlements
Zantac manufacturer Sanofi is currently facing allegations that it failed in its duty to protect consumers by producing a product that endangered their lives under the guise of treating their medical conditions. These investigations are still in the early stages and no verdicts or settlements have been reached as the result of litigation.
Our medical drug litigation experience
Motley Rice medical attorneys have extensive experience litigating for patients who have suffered severe adverse effects and complications caused by dangerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs. In addition to Zantac, we are also reviewing claims of chronic kidney disease and failure caused by proton pump inhibitors (PPI), used to treat GERD, frequent heartburn, ulcers, esophagitis and other conditions related to the over-production of stomach acid.
We understand that as a patient or family member, your familiarity with medications you have been prescribed, and knowledge of their potential risks, may be limited. Our attorneys have the resources needed to thoroughly investigate and identify potentially harmful products, medical causation, compliance with FDA regulations, alleged inadequacy of warnings, alleged wrongdoing and other factors that could affect your potential claim.
In addition to stomach acid medications, our attorneys have represented clients in multiple medical drug cases, including cases involving diabetes drugs Januvia®, Victoza®, Janumet®, and Byetta®; chemotherapy drug Taxotere®; gout medication Uloric®; MS medication Zinbryta®; and nausea medication Zofran®.
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death.
Motley Rice LLC, a South Carolina Limited Liability Company, is engaged in the New Jersey practice of law through Motley Rice New Jersey LLC. Esther Berezofsky attorney responsible for New Jersey practice.
