Zantac

These product liability drug cases are closed

Zantac Pulled from Market After FDA Finds Cancer-Causing NDMA

In April 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that all Zantac brand heartburn medication (ranitidine) be pulled from the market[1]. This request came after an investigation revealed that some ranitidine medications contained a cancer-causing ingredient known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This carcinogen was linked to numerous cancers and the drug makers chose not to disclose this risk to either consumers or the government. Now, Zantac manufacturers are facing a slew of lawsuits from patients who suffered harm and injury after taking this medication.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers. At Coxwell & Associates, PLLC, our dangerous drug lawyers are helping victims of Zantac examine and review their legal options. A new MDL has been created to help victims of Zantac take part in a national lawsuit. Our lawyers can examine your case and help determine if you may be eligible to participate in the MDL. We charge no fees unless we are successful in obtaining a settlement for you. 

History of Zantac

Ranitidine was first discovered in England in the 1970s. The companies that discovered ranitidine would eventually merge into GlaxoSmithKline. It was introduced to the world in 1981 and by 1987 was the world’s biggest-selling prescription drug[2]. Zantac dominated the market in part because of a novel marketing strategy that included celebrity media tours and consumer-awareness bulletins. They even aggressively encouraged consumers to seek out this drug from their physicians. Since 2017, the drug has been marketed by Sanofi.

It was commonly used to treat heartburn in individuals suffering from peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It works by blocking histamine, which in turn reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces. It was approved for use as a short-term drug only. This was documented in GlaxoSmithKline’s early submission documents.

However, Zantac can cause a variety of health problems on its own, including liver damage, pneumonia and stomach pain.