Have you spent weeks, months, or even years taking the over-the-counter mediation named, Zantac? A growing number of people are taking Zantac for GERD because it means they don’t have to get a prescription from a doctor, they don’t need to make lifestyle changes or lose weight to ease the symptoms of GERD.
The trouble that we see on the whole, however, is that people are not aware of the high risk of stomach and bladder cancer from the use of Zantac for GERD. Using Zantac doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get cancer, but it does come with an increased risk, and Zantac is arguing that there’s a huge variety of situational factors too. You know that the Zantac caused your cancer, not your lifestyle, or your habits, and that means that you have a product liability case ahead of you.
What is GERD?
About 1 in 5 of people in the United States experience or suffer from GERD, which stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. GERD is often called “acid reflux,” although it’s a bit more severe than the occasional bout of heartburn. The symptoms can include burning of the esophagus, throat hoarseness, bad breath, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and even nausea.
Differences Between GERD and Heartburn
GERD is an ongoing issue, while typically, heartburn is a once in a while experience. For example, if you’ve been on a steady diet of soda and pizza for a few days, it’s not surprising that you have heartburn. But, that also doesn’t mean that you have GERD.
GERD requires diagnosis, and the doctor will often use trial-and-error assessment with different prescriptions to determine if you have persistent heartburn or GERD. Usually, a doctor won’t run tests because they are looking at a common factor such as sleeplessness, nausea, and damage to the esophagus.
If a doctor does decide to test for GERD, then you may have to wait a while for any real news. But usually, the doctors will only do this when they suspect that you only have heartburn. Heartburn will come and go, but like GERD, one of the best courses of action is diet and lifestyle change. However, with GERD, even substantial diet and lifestyle changes won’t undo the years of damage from your stomach overproducing acid.
Various Treatments for GERD
For GERD, different doctors will assess different approaches; Zantac is often a chosen option from people who have self-diagnosed. One of the issues with Zantac is that it is marketed as an option for GERD treatment, and in many cases, doctors will agree. However, without a solid diagnosis from a doctor, you wouldn’t have access to the full range of different GERD treatments. Different treatments can include proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, antacids like Zantac, and even antibiotics.
Now a doctor may suggest the use of Zantac, as prescribed, and a variety of other changes such as not eating within a three-hour window before bed. They may also suggest that you quit smoking, stop over-the-counter medications, or avoiding alcohol. It’s important that when you’re showing the extent of cancer caused by Zantac that you show the other elements of your lifestyle, which can contribute to GERD and cancer development as well.
Long-Term Risks of Taking Zantac for GERD
Zantac is one of a long line of antacid and PPI cancer cases. The FDA has recalled Valsartan, and nearly every other heartburn or GERD medication that includes NDMA. Zantac is on that list. While the Zantac recall is rather recent, that doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue compensation for the damage from the years of use prior to the recall.
Essentially, if you have stomach cancer or bladder cancer, then you might have the opportunity to get compensation for your damages and your family’s losses.
Getting a San Diego Product Liability Attorney Involved
Zantac comes with a substantial cancer risk with two additional recalls for Zantac’s association with cancer in 2020. Although Zantac is a substantially relieving way to treat GERD and even everyday heartburn, taking one Zantac after every heavy meal can lead to stomach and bladder cancers.
In San Diego, you can find reliable support for your legal proceedings against Zantac at Rueb Stoller Daniel. Alongside the risks of stomach or bladder cancer from the long-term use of Zantac for GERD, there were other NDMA contaminations reported from Zantac. You’re looking at a product that wasn’t manufactured with care, wasn’t marketed properly, and then experienced contaminations that weren’t caught before they hit the market. Call our San Diego mass tort law firm to initiate your Zantac claim.
