Louisville Zantac Cancer Lawsuit

Millions of Americans use Zantac and other forms of ranitidine medications for heartburn and other stomach or throat related conditions. If you or a family member takes this type of medication, you may have heard that the FDA has found a probable link to cancer. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac for an extended period of time, you could have grounds to take legal action by filing a Louisville Zantac cancer lawsuit.

What Is Zantac Used For?

Zantac, also known as ranitidine, is a medication used to decrease the production of stomach acid. It is used to treat stomach and intestine ulcers and prevents them from coming back after they’ve healed. It can also treat certain stomach and throat problems like erosive esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Patients who take the drug experience less coughing, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.

While there are prescription doses available for this medication, it’s also commonly found on the shelves of major drug stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, and more. The dosage and length of treatment are dependent upon the patient’s medical condition and how their body responds to the medication.

Why Is Ranitidine Being Pulled From Shelves?

In September 2019, the FDA announced that some ranitidine medications contained low levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The presence of NDMA was discovered by the online pharmacy Valisure, who notified the FDA. They tested all lots across multiple manufacturers of ranitidine products and detected 2.5 nanograms of NDMA per 150mg tablet of Zantac. That’s more than 26,000 times the FDA’s daily permissible intake.

While NDMA is currently only used in the United States for research purposes, it was formerly used in the production of liquid rocket fuel, antioxidants, and additives for lubricants. Classified as a probable cancer-causing substance, NDMA typically occurs in drinking water as a result of negligent industrial processes. It’s also found in contaminated foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.

Once the FDA announced the possible presence of the carcinogen, pharmacy chains all over the country, like CVS and Walgreens, announced they would suspend sales of Zantac brand pills and generic versions containing ranitidine. In addition to those medicines being pulled from shelves, three manufacturers, Apotex, Sandoz, and GlaxoSmithKline, have recalled generic versions of Zantac sold at Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid. Sanofi, however, isn’t halting shipments of the name-brand drug to the United States.

The Connection Between Zantac and Cancer

Because of the low-level presence of NDMA in Zantac, there’s the possibility the medication could cause cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NDMA produces cancer by biotransforming liver microsomal enzymes and generating methyl diazonium ions. This essentially means it behaves like a cancer-causing chemical by modifying your DNA. The existing concerns are related to stomach and bladder cancer, but there’s the possibility of connections to other cancers, as well.

If you currently take ranitidine, the FDA is not calling for individuals to stop. However, patients who wish to discontinue use should speak with the primary care physician about the possibility of other treatment options. If you’re taking an over-the-counter (OTC) version of Zantac, you should consider switching to another OTC medicine used for your condition, as there are multiple drugs on the market approved for similar use.

Filing a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit

A number of lawsuits have been filed against Sanofi since the FDA released its findings. There’s also the possibility of a class action lawsuit. If you purchased and took OTC Zantac or were prescribed the medication by your physician and have been diagnosed with cancer, you could be eligible for compensation to cover your related losses.

Not only can a lawsuit help you recover financially, but it will push for the total recall of the dangerous drug. Filing a claim is often a complicated process, especially when large pharmaceutical companies are involved. That’s why it’s best to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer from Thomas Law Offices.

Lawsuits against drug manufacturers can take months or even years to resolve. If you believe you have a case, the sooner you get in touch with a lawyer the better. We’ll begin investigating your situation and determining if you have a valid product liability claim.

The value of your claim is based on a number of factors, including your economic and noneconomic losses. We’ll start by determining how much money you spent purchasing Zantac. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and have undergone treatments, we’ll add your medical bills into your losses as well. Lost wages from time away from work can also be included. Noneconomic damages are harder to calculate, but we’ll be sure to determine a value for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the dangerous drug.

Contact Thomas Law Offices Today

If you believe your cancer diagnosis could be related to a medication like Zantac, get in touch with our personal injury attorneys today. We’ll evaluate your situation and determine if there are grounds for a Louisville Zantac cancer lawsuit.

At Thomas Law Offices, we understand how overwhelming filing a lawsuit can seem. We’re here to make the process easier for you. While you focus on recovery and spending time with your family, we’ll handle the paperwork and difficult conversation for you, while keeping you up-to-date the entire time.

Filing a lawsuit takes time, especially when it’s up against a drug manufacturer. That’s why it’s best to get in touch with us as soon as possible if you suspect you have a case. For more information, contact our firm today.