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Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, is currently helping people in West Virginia who have been hurt by Zantac. Our firm has extensive experience holding those in the pharmaceutical industry who have repeatedly put profit above their customers’ lives accountable. If you or a loved one developed cancer as a result of taking Zantac, call the experienced dangerous drugs attorneys at our firm today.
Zantac (ranitidine), the popular over-the-counter heartburn medication, has recently been at the center of several newly filed lawsuits because of concerns about contamination with a cancer-causing chemical. Recently, two class-action lawsuits were filed against Zantac manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis LLC and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, who previously held rights to Zantac, with plaintiffs claiming that the companies knowingly put patient health at risk.
Zantac first hit U.S. markets in 1983 as a prescription medication to treat a variety of gastrointestinal issues, such as heartburn or acid reflux. It is an over-the-counter drug, and is also sold under the generic name, ranitidine. Ranitidine drugs are also available in a prescription-strength form for the treatment of more serious stomach issues, like ulcers.
In the spring of 2018, Zantac underwent testing, along with several other similar medications, for a known “probable carcinogenic” chemical called NDMA. In other words, exposure to certain levels of NDMA may lead to the development of certain cancers. The study ultimately found high levels of NDMA in Zantac, leading the FDA to issue a warning.
According to the Zantac-NDMA study conducted at Valisure, a research lab in Connecticut, the use of Zantac can be problematic on many levels. The lab discovered that, not only does Zantac contain alarming amounts of NDMA independently, but it may also become even more unstable when consumed. In fact, the study revealed that the human body breaks down Zantac in such a way that it exposes the consumer to NDMA levels more than 400 times the level deemed acceptable by the FDA. The FDA later conducted its own tests and confirmed that Zantac and its generic forms contain hazardous concentrations of NDMA.
The impurity was discovered by Valisure, a Connecticut-based online pharmacy. According to Valisure, its testing found “extremely high levels” of NDMA in every lot of ranitidine it tested across multiple manufacturers and dosages. Valisure detected more than 3,000,000 nanograms of NDMA per tablet — an amount more than 31,000 times higher than the FDA’s permissible daily intake of 96 nanograms.
In a citizen petition to the FDA, Valisure requested that the agency issue a recall and suspend sales of ranitidine from the U.S. market. The FDA announced that its own preliminary testing has detected NDMA in ranitidine but at levels lower than those detected by Valisure. The FDA is continuing its testing and has asked manufacturers to conduct their own.
During the period that Sanofi (2017 to present) and Boehringer (2006 to 2017) manufactured and sold Zantac, numerous scientific studies were published showing, among other things, that ranitidine—the active ingredient in Zantac—forms NDMA when placed in drinking water and that a person who consumes the drug has a 400‑fold increase of NDMA concentration in their urine.
Despite the accumulating scientific evidence showing that Zantac exposed users to extremely high levels of NDMA, neither Sanofi nor Boehringer disclosed this risk to consumers on the drug’s label—or through any other means. This could open them up to liability.
Individual who file a Zantac cancer lawsuit will need to provide proof of diagnosis by a medical professional. The documentation will also need to include a start date of taking the antacid up to the diagnosis.
Zantac lawsuit attorneys in West Virginia are primarily looking for individuals who have been diagnosed with specific types of cancer that can be closely linked to NDMA. These types of cancers include:
If you did take the antacid Zantac for a significant amount of time and were later diagnosed with a type of cancer not listed above, you should still contact a West Virginia law firm that specializes in dangerous drugs. Individuals in West Virginia who were potentially harmed by Zantac have the right to learn more about their legal options, as you may be entitled to compensation.
What does all this mean if you take heartburn medication or have taken heartburn medication in the past? What can you do if you have taken Zantac regularly or if you have a family member who regularly takes Zantac? Have you developed cancer and believe it could be linked to your intake of Zantac? First of all, it is important to note that as the FDA investigates this situation, it isn’t calling for people to stop taking heartburn medication. Individuals with concerns should speak to their doctor. If you have been taking heartburn medication for some time or regularly take this medication, now might be a good time to speak to your doctor about your options and alternatives.
Have you developed pancreatic or gastric cancer? Did you regularly take Zantac and its generic versions? The West Virginia Zantac lawsuit attorneys at our firm may be able to help you. It is predicted that many individuals and families in West Virginia might pursue mass tort lawsuits against the makers of Zantac and the makers of the generic version of the drug.
Jan Dils, Attorney at Law, is currently taking cases from individuals who received a cancer diagnosis after taking Zantac medication. It is predicted that companies who make this heartburn medication might face lawsuits in the future. Do you have a case? Call today to let a West Virginia Zantac lawyer review your situation and help you understand the next steps.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
