Zantac and ranitidine are heartburn medicines that contain an element known as N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. NDMA is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a probable human carcinogen. Excessive levels of NDMA can cause gastric or stomach cancer.
However, high levels or long-term exposure to NDMA may also increase the risk of:
- Colorectal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cancer of the small intestine
- Liver cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Throat cancer
- Thyroid cancer
FDA Recalled Zantac Over Cancer Link in 2020
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled Zantac in April 2020 after the agency was notified about excessive levels of NDMA in the medication. In its press release, the FDA warned that “… higher levels of exposure may increase the risk of cancer in humans.”
The agency is testing Zantac to determine if long storage time or high temperatures can also increase the amount of NDMA to dangerous levels. Currently, the FDA suggests that more than 96 nanograms per day (or 0.32 parts per million) is unacceptable and increases the risk of developing cancer.
An independent study uncovered more than 3,000,000 nanograms in one Zantac tablet.
How Long does It Take to Develop Cancer After Taking Zantac?
At this time, healthcare professionals are unsure about how long it takes to develop cancer after taking Zantac. They do know, however, that taking Zantac increases the risk of cancer by about 25 percent. Chronic Zantac users are at a higher risk of cancer than those who only used the medication as needed.
Certain health risks may also increase one’s likelihood of developing cancer, including:
- Aging
- Alcohol consumption
- Being obese
- Chronic inflammation
- Diet
- Heredity
- Hormones
- Immunosuppression conditions
- Radiation exposure
- Smoking
- Sun exposure
Does Zantac Cause Fatal Forms of Cancer?
Any type of cancer, even one not caused by Zantac, can be fatal. However, early detection increases one’s likelihood of making a full recovery.
On another note, the FDA has an adverse event reporting system database. Here, Zantac users can report their drug-related diagnoses and other related health events.
The nine-year period outlined above is just a snapshot of the harm this drug causes. Zantac was released to the public in 1985, meaning, during that period, thousands more could have suffered serious health effects.
Injured Claimants Are Filing Lawsuits Against the Makers of Zantac
In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim. The plaintiffs alleged that the companies continued to sell Zantac despite knowing the risk of cancer, according to Bloomberg News.
In addition to Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, other domestic and overseas manufacturers who may be held liable include:
- Acic Pharms
- Ajanta Pharma LTD
- Apotex
- Appco
- Aurobindo Pharma LTD
- Glenmark Pharms, Inc.
- Heritage Pharma
- Dr. Reddys Labs LTD
- Novitium Pharma
- Sandoz
- Strides Pharma
- VKT Pharma PVT LTD
- Wockhardt LTD
Patients who took Zantac or a generic version should talk to their healthcare provider about alternative medications that do not have the same risks.
What You Should do If You Suspect Your Cancer Is Related to Zantac
If you have not been examined by a doctor, you should make an appointment. Many cancers associated with Zantac can be caught early using standard diagnostic procedures.
These procedures include:
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) to detect stomach cancer
- Mammograms and ultrasounds to detect breast cancer
- Pap smears and gynecological exams to detect uterine or ovarian cancer
- Blood tests and physical exams to detect prostate cancer
- Colonoscopies to detect colon and rectal cancer
If you are diagnosed with cancer and have previously used Zantac, consider your legal recourse options.
You Can Seek Damages in a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit
Each case is different. You should know that no law firm can guarantee that you will recover damages. However, our legal team is dedicated to pursuing financial recovery for clients who have been injured or disabled through no fault of their own. Recoverable damages may include:
- Cancer-fighting treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy
- Palliative care
- Lifecare expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship or consortium
A Zantac cancer lawsuit lawyer with our firm can protect your rights and help you recover damages.
Does My Zantac Cancer Lawsuit Come With a Time Limit?
It’s hard to give an exact deadline when it comes to filing your Zantac cancer lawsuit. That’s because many states have something called a “discovery rule.” How does this apply to you, though?
Suppose you live in Texas. Per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit. In the context of Zantac cancer cases, your filing deadline would begin from the date you received a cancer diagnosis.
To protect your legal rights, we recommend considering your options as soon as you can. Zantac has dozens of highly qualified lawyers ready to dispute any lawsuits. Any delay in filing your case could prompt accusations that you developed cancer from something else––and not Zantac.
Explore Your Legal Options Today
If you or a loved one developed an adverse health condition due to Zantac, our team can file your lawsuit. For a free case evaluation with a member of our firm, call D. Miller & Associates, PLLC™ today at (713) 850-8600.
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