If you suffer from severe heartburn or indigestion, you are probably familiar with Zantac. Zantac (ranitidine) is an H2 blocker that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach to prevent and treat heartburn and acid indigestion. It's an oral medication that is most effective when taken between 15 and 60 minutes before eating or drinking. Its side effects include headaches, constipation, and diarrhea. 14 million prescriptions were issued for the drug in 2019.
Over the last three years, however, several lawsuits have been filed alleging that Zantac is linked to cancer. In 2020, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) requested the removal of all ranitidine drugs from the market after studies detected potential contamination of the drug with N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a possible carcinogen. In fact, NDMA is linked to several types of cancer, including bladder cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer after having been prescribed Zantac, you probably have a lot of questions. An experienced Zantac attorney can discuss your potential claim and answer your questions. Here are the top questions from cancer victims whose disease may have been caused by Zantac:
1. What type of case is a Zantac cancer lawsuit?
If you are curious if Zantac caused your cancer, then you may have a products liability case. A products liability case is when a manufacturer of a product, in this case, a drug, is liable for the harm caused by that product. There are a few elements that injured victims must prove for a products liability case to succeed. First, in the case of Zantac, they would need to prove that the manufacturer sold the Zantac that the victim used and that there were issues with design, manufacturing, and safety warnings. Specifically, victims will need to prove that the manufacturer failed to provide a reasonably safe product or warn about the risks of using a product.
2. Is Zantac linked to cancer?
There are currently over 500 federal lawsuits against the manufacturers of Zantac alleging that Zantac is linked to cancer and that the manufacturers failed to warn the general public of cancer risks. While the science behind this theory is not definitive, people who have taken the drug have experienced increased levels of NDMA in their system, a known carcinogen. Other drugs, such as metformin, valsartan, and losartan, are also known to contain NDMA. In those drugs, it is speculated that the NDMA levels increase the longer they sit on shelves. Currently, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is advising people to stop using Zantac and find a Zantac alternative.
3. What are common Zantac cancer symptoms?
If you think you may have cancer or if you've been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, there are specific signs and symptoms to watch out for. If you've been taking Zantac for an extended period of time, you should monitor your health for signs of anemia (intestinal bleed), sudden and persistent changes in your stools (diarrhea and constipation), frequent pain, gas or cramps in the abdomen, frequent stomach bloating, and weight loss. If you have any of these symptoms and have not visited a medical provider, it may be time to talk with them about your options.
It can be devastating to learn that a product that you've trusted for a long time has caused severe harm. If you've been diagnosed with cancer because of taking Zantac, it's important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tulsa you can trust. At Jeff Martin Law, we are here for Zantac cancer victims. Call us now for a free consultation.
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