Zantac Claims and Lawsuits

Zantac is a prescription and over-the-counter drug for heartburn that became one of the best-selling pharmaceuticals in the United States. It has been widely sold since the 1980’s and it was the first medication to reach $1 billion in annual sales.

Zantac and the generic version ranitidine have been found to cause cancer because they contain a carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). In addition to causing cancer, NDMA is also linked to liver damage, with long-term exposure increasing the risk of liver, kidney, and lung tumors. Other adverse effects that have been associated with Zantac include nervous system disorders, arrhythmia or tachycardia, vitamin B-12 deficiency, hepatitis, jaundice, increased risk of pneumonia, low platelet levels in the blood, skin rashes and hair loss.

Zantac was originally manufactured by GSK in 1977, and it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1983. Since then, more than twenty pharmaceutical companies have manufactured and sold over-the-counter ranitidine products.

In April of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found unacceptable amounts of NDMA in the ranitidine and requested that all companies remove their ranitidine products from retailers. Since then, more than a dozen pharmaceutical companies have recalled the drug. Major retailers, such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart, have all pulled Zantac from the shelves and suspended all sales of the medication.

Lawsuits are now being filed against the pharmaceutical companies and retailers. These defective drug attorneys claim that Zantac and other ranitidine products are dangerous products. The lawyers claim the pharmaceutical companies failed to warn consumers of the serious cancer risks and side effects associated with these prescription and OTC drugs. There are now numerous medical studies that support the plaintiffs' lawyers' claims in the Zantac lawsuits.

If you have taken Zantac on a regular basis and you have experienced severe illness from it, you may be entitled to compensation. A Zantac lawsuit may be filed based on the defective design of the drug and the manufacturer’s failure to properly label the drug and warn consumers of its risks.

If your Zantac claim is successful, the drug manufacturer may be required to provide compensation for the following:

• Medical Expenses:  Compensation may cover past and future hospital bills, rehabilitation, transport services, and other expenses.
• Lost Wages:  If you are unable to perform your job as a result of your medical issues, you may be able to collect compensation to recover the amount you would have made had you not been injured. If the medical complications are severe enough to require extensive care and leaves you permanently disabled, you may be entitled to compensation for future lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering:  While money may not directly help you with emotional anguish caused by the medication, it can pay for therapy, which may be needed to manage long-term illness.
• Punitive Damages:  Punitive damages are considered punishment and are typically awarded at the court's discretion when the manufacturer’s behavior is found to be especially harmful.

Are you concerned that your usage of Zantac has caused cancer or other complications? If so, you need an experienced attorney who specializes in drug recalls and lawsuits.

I’ve been serving product liability victims in (and around) Houston, Texas, since 2001. I have nearly two decades of experience helping people just like you. There is a lot that goes into a lawsuit against a drug manufacturer. I’m here to help every step of the way.

Recovering compensation is a lengthy and complicated process. Medical companies will often pressure victims into making hasty decisions. What may seem like a fast and fair settlement can be grossly undervalued, and this can degrade your physical, emotional, and financial well-being for many years to come.