Quite a number of people who developed health issues as a result of using Zantac for heartburn have turned to the class-action lawsuit lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel for help filing their lawsuits. Zantac, which is available both over-the-counter and by prescription, has been linked to increased risks of developing cancer. The sad thing is that while Zantac manufacturers knew about this, they never told their consumers since they knew that this revelation would hurt their bottom line.
Because of their greed, a large number of Zantac users have, over the years, been injured while others have died. The companies that are responsible for these injustices have to be held accountable for their negligent actions. Contact the attorneys of Rueb Stoller Daniel at 1-866-CALL-RSD to hold them responsible by filing a Zantac lawsuit in Atlanta.
Zantac: What Is It and What Is It Used for?
Zantac’s generic version is known as ranitidine. When developed, the drug was designed to affect the digestive tract to reduce the levels of acid in the stomach. The medication is generally prescribed to people with digestive issues such as peptic ulcers, intestinal ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, heartburn, stomach ulcers, heartburn, and indigestion.
A lower dosage version of Zantac is available as an over-the-counter medication and generally used to manage heartburn. For years, physicians prescribed the drug as an effective way of helping patients ease digestive issues like ulcers.
The drug was first sold in the US in 1981. Over the years, it worked its way up the ladder to #50 on the list of most commonly prescribed medications in America.
What Warnings Has the FDA Issued Concerning Zantac?
The Food and Drug Administration first put out the first warning regarding Zantac back in September 2019. According to the FDA, this warning was issued after they discovered that the drug contained carcinogenic properties – the main carcinogenic component present in the drug is a compound known as NDMA. Further tests revealed that the carcinogenic levels in the drug were 3,000 to 26,000X higher than those permitted by the agency.
According to the FDA, the carcinogenic levels of any product should not exceed 100 nanograms. While testing the drug, they found that a single Zantac tablet contained up to three-million nanograms of NDMA.
Over-the-counter Zantac tablets are available as 150mg tablets, while prescription ones are usually 300mg. Typically, when a patient is prescribed Zantac, they are required to take a pill every night before going to bed for 6-8 weeks.
A suit filed against Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim revealed that both companies knew that the drug increased a user’s risk of contracting cancer. While they knew about this, they decided not to inform health care providers and users.
Studies reveal that people who have been using Zantac have higher-than-normal concentrations of NDMA in their urine. According to these studies, the amount of NDMA in their urine is over 400X greater than what it would if they had not taken the drug. According to researchers, a majority, if not all, of the users would’ve avoided taking the medication if they’d known that it increases their risk of developing cancer.
Is There a Clear Link Between Zantac and Cancer?
Not so long ago, the FDA tested over 100 Zantac tablets, and the results showed that the pills contained carcinogenic ingredients. The shocking thing is that the carcinogen levels in these tablets were 2,000 times about the FDA’s approved maximum daily limit. The carcinogenic compound found in Zantac is commonly known as NDMA, which is short for nitrosodimethylamine.
Researchers from the FDA have discovered evidence that links NDMA and Zantac to various forms of cancer. Evidence shows that Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the two companies that made ranitidine hydrochloride or Zantac, knew that the drug contained carcinogenic characteristics but purposely refused to inform the public, i.e., users.
Millions of people who suffered gastrointestinal issues like sour stomach, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, acid reflux, heartburn, and Barrett’s esophagus took the medication without knowing that it’d increase their chances of developing cancer.
Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi made well over $1 billion from Zantac sales while hiding this crucial information from their consumers. Zantac was the very first drug in its category to earn such figures in terms of sales.
Sadly, the drug’s carcinogenic components resulted in injuries, and even death, in many of the people who used it. Considering the damages, the only option Zantac users have is to sue Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi for withholding information concerning the dangers of using the drug.
Together, the two companies negligently and deliberately put people who used the drug in harm’s way by withholding this information. As such, they need to be held liable for their actions.
When introduced to the body, NDMA affects different organs in several ways, with the most impact being on the liver. Long-term exposure to the compound could lead to a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Cancer of the bladder or stomach
- Liver, kidney, or lung tumors
- Fibrosis of the liver
- Liver scarring
The WHO (World Health Organization) has listed NDMA or nitrosodimethylamine as a carcinogen.
Several medical and regulatory groups, including the Food and Drugs Administration, are looking into where the impurities found in Zantac come from. By studying the drug closely, they will be able to understand the different ways the drug puts users at risk.
As of this moment, there’s no predetermined due date for these investigations. However, once completed, the administration will take whatever actions they deem necessary, depending on what the investigations unearth.
Have the Companies Responsible Issued a Recall for Zantac?
At this point, both Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim haven’t yet received any recalls for the drug from the FDA. Furthermore, the agency hasn’t told retailers to stop the sale of the medication. Nevertheless, a majority of retail outlets and pharmacies that once carried the drug have discontinued its sale until the final results of the tests come in.
Current data appears to show that the NDMA levels in Zantac are not that high that they can cause cancer to start developing in humans. Nevertheless, the compound is listed as a likely carcinogen. It is also worth noting that the risk of humans developing cancer increase with prolonged exposure to the compound.
As a result, most health experts recommend that users avoid the prolonged use of Zantac. According to the Food and Drug Administration, people suffering from digestive problems and who need medication to address the issues need to make sure they discuss their options with their doctors to find alternatives that are safer than Zantac. The good thing is that there are several medications currently available on the market which provide similar benefits but don’t contain the compound.
How are Zantac Lawsuits Filed?
Over the last few years, a considerable number of Zantac users in America were exposed to NDMA. These people have now come together to file a handful of class-action suits against Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the makers of the drug.
Anyone who’s received a cancer diagnosis after they used Zantac may qualify to receive compensation from the companies. This is especially true if their cancer affects the bladder or stomach. Some of the common claims filed include damages for:
- Medical expenses for some of the issues brought about by the use of Zantac
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning ability
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Lawyers who have successfully handled class-action lawsuits can help you if you were exposed to the carcinogenic compounds present in Zantac for a long time and are suffering at the moment due to this. People who are in the category qualify to receive financial settlements to help with paying for medical costs for the treatment of health issues linked to their exposure to the carcinogenic compounds. At the same time, a class-action settlement may include receiving compensation for lost income.
Another advantage of class-action suits is that they set a precedent that compels other pharmaceutical companies to follow labeling standards. In most cases, new laws are also enforced, helping protect the public from similar forms of exposure.
MedWatch’s asked ranitidine users and healthcare professionals to notify them about any ill-effects suffered as a result of using the medication. The organization closely tracks all the different risks different medications present to users, and that includes Zantac.
How Can a Mass Tort Attorney Help My Case?
The process of filing a class-action suit against Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim, the makers of Zantac, is pretty much similar to that of filing a personal injury case. However, before the lawsuit is filed, it’s vital that you learn everything there is to know about the process and how it works. The first thing you need to do is to hire an experienced and professional Zantac attorney who’s handled several personal injury cases related to medications and pharmaceuticals in the past.
If a person you care for died as a result of using Zantac, then what you need to do is to hire an attorney who handles and has handled wrongful death cases. A qualified Atlanta-based Zantac attorney can help you file a successful claim.
Since the lawyer has experience handling such cases, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands as they will help you avoid making mistakes that would harm the chances of your claim being successful. Furthermore, an experienced attorney will help your case by presenting your evidence in the most convincing way possible, increasing your chances of success.
When you hire the services of a mass tort lawyer, they’ll first take some time to discuss your case in detail to determine who’s responsible for causing damages. As the victim, you play a vital role in the process of putting your case together – and your job through this process will be gathering evidence that backs up your claim.
It is this evidence that is put together and introduced to the court as part of your suit. It is also what is used to determine how much you will receive as compensation.
People in such types of cases also qualify to sue for punitive and compensatory damages. With the help of an attorney, it shouldn’t be that hard to determine how much you should be compensated. It’s vital that you carefully calculate your damages to ensure that you’re getting everything you’re owed.
Let Rueb Stoller Daniel Help You Put Together a Rock-Solid Zantac Lawsuit in Atlanta
Call Rueb Stoller Daniel at 1-866-CALL-RSD now if you have experienced injuries, or if someone dear to you has died as a result of using Zantac. We’ll schedule a free consultative meeting where we can sit and discuss your case.
After the initial consultation, you are not obligated to continue using our legal services. Assuming we take on your case, we will not charge you anything unless we win the case.
If you’ve suffered or are suffering due to taking Zantac, it’s crucial that you join in the fight to ensure these pharmaceutical manufacturers are held liable for their actions. Contact us today and let our attorneys help you charter a way forward. Depending on the situation you are in, our Zantac lawyers can help you determine what the best course of action is and how to implement it.