Not all drug manufacturing companies take their duties of care to consumers seriously. Some intentionally misrepresent facts, commit false advertising and release defective products. In these cases, consumers who take the drugs can suffer severe and even fatal health consequences. Luckily, injured victims have the right to file product liability lawsuits against drugmakers for developing and releasing defective medications.
One of the many medications involved in product liability lawsuits is Zantac, from the manufacturer Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim. Numerous studies since the 1980s have linked Zantac, a popular heartburn mediation, with cancer. If a doctor diagnosed you or someone you love with cancer after taking Zantac, contact the West Virginia personal injury lawyers at Manchin Injury Law Group today. We offer free consultations.
Zantac is an over-the-counter and prescription antacid medication that treats heartburn, acid reflux, ingestion, and other throat and gastrointestinal problems. Its chemical name is ranitidine hydrochloride. Zantac is a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, or H2 blocker. This type of medication treats symptoms of heartburn and related issues by decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach. Most Zantac products come in dosages of 75 to 150 milligrams per tablet, although they go as high as 300 milligrams per day for some patients.
Like all medications, Zantac comes with a list of potential side effects noted in fine print on the box and in the information pamphlet about the drug. The side effects of Zantac the manufacturer made known to consumers and patients include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, headache, dizziness, insomnia, muscle pain and impotence. Zantac could cause more serious side effects, however – such as cancer – due to defects with the drug.
Doctors and consumers do not know all the possible side effects of taking Zantac. A recent study from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), however, led to a Zantac recall from the market after the FDA found evidence of a potential public safety risk. The FDA found impurities in some ranitidine products that could expose consumers to unsafe levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Although not much is known about NDMA, researchers have probable cause to believe it is a human carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer.
Cancer is a possible side effect patients could face from the presence of high levels of NDMA in Zantac. The FDA states that while it is unsure of the effects of low levels of NDMA, some Zantac products tested had unacceptable levels. The FDA believes exposure of the drug to heat may have resulted in the high levels of NDMA. If taken in large amounts, NDMA may cause cancer in humans.
The FDA recalled Zantac from all shelves in April 2020 after its investigation designated it as a public health risk. The FDA did not, however, tell patients to stop taking ranitidine medications. The recommendation included in the recall was for patients to talk to their doctors about other treatment options besides ranitidine. The FDA also suggested that patients taking Zantac switch to other approved over-the-counter medications that do not contain ranitidine. Consumers who believe they have cancer or other health problems due to Zantac should report them to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program for data tracking.
The FDA’s recall encompasses all types, forms, quantity counts, flavors and brands of Zantac. Before the recall, consumers could find Zantac under brand names such as Zantac, Zantac 75, Zantac 150 Maximum Strength and Deprizine. You may have grounds for a lawsuit if you have cancer connected to any of these common Zantac brands.
Since news of the recall broke, hundreds of patients and consumers who have taken Zantac are contacting attorneys about potential lawsuits. In general, to have grounds for a Zantac lawsuit, you must have proof that you were taking Zantac, that the drug contained a defect and that this defect caused your damages. Damages may include cancer or other health problems, as well as associated medical debts, lost earnings, disabilities, emotional suffering and other losses.
A Zantac cancer lawsuit is an individual civil claim with just one plaintiff or injured party seeking damages from the drug manufacturing company. In a Zantac cancer lawsuit, the plaintiff will have to prove the defective or dangerous drug caused harm. A Zantac cancer lawsuit allows patients with cancer to obtain the maximum possible compensation. In a Zantac class action lawsuit, on the other hand, plaintiffs will not have the burden of proving harm or damages.
A class action lawsuit is a group action filed by a single plaintiff who is acting as a representative for many. A class action may be appropriate when the same medication and/or drug manufacturing company harmed multiple plaintiffs. Rather than wasting money and the courthouse’s time on hearing many of the same or similar claims, plaintiffs can group them together as a class action. A Zantac class action serves to reimburse plaintiffs for the costs of purchasing the drug. A Zantac cancer lawsuit, on the other hand, can compensate a victim for significant past and future losses.
Do not allow your concerns over the cost of hiring a Zantac attorney prevent you from seeking legal representation during a related lawsuit. At the Manchin Injury Law Group, our Zantac lawyers in West Virginia do not charge claimants any upfront fees during Zantac lawsuits. We only charge after we win compensation on behalf of the client. We deduct our fees out of a settlement or judgment won. That way, you will never have any out-of-pocket costs in legal fees.
At the Manchin Injury Law Group, we believe Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim should be held accountable for creating and marketing defective drugs that may cause cancer. Our Zantac attorneys in West Virginia represent clients during cancer lawsuits and class actions in the pursuit of justice and maximum compensation. Find out if you have a case today during a free consultation with our attorneys. We can meet with you in person or discuss your case over the phone; whichever is more convenient for you. Initial consultations are free and 100% confidential. Call (304) 367-1862 or send us a message online today to schedule your meeting.
