Zantac Litigation

Zantac Lawsuits Related to Stomach and Bladder Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated an investigation into potential cancer risks linked to the use of Zantac 150 tablets. Testing showed that Zantac contains a carcinogenic chemical at levels up to 3,000 times greater than the FDA’s daily intake limit. The chemical, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), is believed to be the culprit behind these risks.

Zantac, chemically known as ranitidine hydrochloride, is a popular antacid medication that has been available since the early 1980s. It is used to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal issues. Zantac is sold both over-the-counter and by prescription, with dosages typically ranging from 75 mg to 150 mg, though 300 mg doses are also prescribed in some cases.

In addition to its common use for digestive issues, Zantac is also sometimes used as a supplemental treatment for allergies.

NDMA was first discovered during the manufacturing of rocket fuel. Over the past 40 years, numerous studies have shown that NDMA is harmful to humans. Today, its primary use is in laboratory experiments to induce cancer in animals.

According to lawsuits, the manufacturers of Zantac did not disclose that the drug, when ingested, produces dangerous levels of NDMA. The chemical is a recognized carcinogen by multiple health organizations, including the FDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

When Zantac, or its active ingredient ranitidine, is ingested, it metabolizes into NDMA, which has been linked to various types of cancer. Over the past 40 years, numerous studies have suggested a link between Zantac and the following types of cancer:

1. Bladder Cancer
2. Colon and Rectal Cancer
3. Esophageal Cancer
4. Intestinal Cancer
5. Kidney Cancer
6. Lung Cancer
7. Liver Cancer
8. Pancreatic Cancer
9. Prostate Cancer
10. Ovarian Cancer
11. Testicular Cancer
12. Thyroid Cancer
13. Stomach Cancer
14. Uterine Cancer

People taking Zantac have reported side effects such as abdominal discomfort, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. An FDA-approved test found more than 3,000,000 nanograms (ng) of NDMA in a single Zantac 150 mg tablet, far exceeding the FDA’s limit of 96 ng. Common brands of Zantac and its generic versions include:

• Zantac: Brand-name versions of 150 mg and 75 mg, as well as Maximum Strength formulations
• Wal-Zan: Generic 150 mg and 75 mg versions

Ranitidine: Generic Heartburn Relief, Acid Reducer

The lawsuits claim that daily doses of Zantac expose users to significantly higher amounts of NDMA than is considered safe. For example, taking a daily 150 mg dose exposes users to 889,000,000 ng of NDMA over the course of a year.

The plaintiffs also allege that the manufacturers were aware or should have been aware of the risks posed by NDMA, yet failed to disclose these dangers to the public. The lawsuits argue that Zantac’s makers deliberately avoided testing the drug because they knew it could reveal these risks.

In addition to individual lawsuits from those diagnosed with cancer, a class action lawsuit is also in motion. This lawsuit targets people who purchased Zantac but do not have a cancer diagnosis. These individuals may be eligible to hold the manufacturers, Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, accountable for allegedly making misleading or false statements about the safety of Zantac for treating acid reflux, heartburn, and related conditions.

The case revolves around the claim that the manufacturers knowingly marketed a dangerous product without properly warning the public of the risks.