​Why Is There a Zantac Lawsuit & How Can You Participate? What You Need to Know About Zantac & Filing a Claim by 30Seconds Health

Heartburn is a painful feeling in the chest or throat. The discomfort takes place as stomach acid goes back up to the esophagus, the tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach.

Patients experiencing heartburn can experience relief from several solutions, including certain drugs. One relatively popular medication is Zantac. But, if you see this medicine in a pharmacy or store shelf, consider searching for other heartburn drugs instead.

What Is Zantac?

Zantac is the brand name of ranitidine, a medicine used to help treat gut ulcers, particularly in the stomach and intestines. This specific medication may also help prevent these ailments after they heal.

Ranitidine works by helping the stomach reduce stomach acid production, reducing the risk of heartburn and other related illnesses. Moreover, this drug was available on the market without the need for a prescription. Hence, you can buy it as an over-the-counter medicine. Glaxo Holdings Ltd, which is now part of GlaxoSmithKline PLC, developed Zantac and placed the product into the market. It was also around the early 1980s when the pharmaceutical company received the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval for its heartburn drug.

But, it wasn’t until late 2019 when the FDA released an announcement concerning one of the compounds used in the manufacturing of Zantac. The ingredient in question is N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a known carcinogen with high hepatotoxicity in laboratory animals.

Can Zantac Cause Cancer?

It’s because of NDMA that cancer from Zantac is likely to happen among human consumers. The compound is a B2 carcinogen, which can cause different cancers from frequent consumption. Moreover, NDMA can significantly damage the liver. Consuming small amounts of ranitidine drugs may promote liver damage.

Consuming Zantac or other ranitidine medications may lead to the development of certain cancers, which might include, but not limited to, the following:

• Ovarian
• Uterine
• Breast
• Thyroid
• Prostate
• Stomach
• Intestinal
• Liver
• Stomach
• Pancreatic

According to a blog post from Drug Injury News, the FDA exposed in October 2019 an investigation conducted on Valisure Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company in New Haven, Connecticut. The findings revealed that Zantac, along with its generic equivalents, has "significant amounts" of NDMA. However, it’s important to note that these tests happened when the researchers exposed the compound under elevated temperatures.

Nonetheless, the results of the studies found that every ranitidine drug that underwent the testing had "extremely high levels" of NDMA. This event has led to a massive recall for several ranitidine drugs, including Zantac.

What Is a Zantac Lawsuit?

A class action lawsuit exists against the original creators of Zantac. This complaint comes from several drug users as they didn't receive suitable warnings from the company about the medicine's potential cancer risks. Several lawsuits have begun surfacing since the FDA’s announcement, with some users claiming that they developed cancer or other health complications because of Zantac consumption.

How Do You File a Zantac Lawsuit Claim?

Before filing a Zantac lawsuit claim, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the steps of the civil trial process. Always keep in mind that ignorance of the law excuses no one, hence you can't barge into a personal injury lawyer's office without having basic knowledge of the steps needed to file for the claim.

Also, do everything that you can to manage or mitigate the symptoms acquired from the drug. For instance, if you’re suffering from aggravated acid reflux symptoms, consider avoiding foods that can cause heartburn. Also, limit or eliminate your alcoholic beverage intake as the act can increase the risk of bloating and gas.

The next step is to find a reliable Zantac lawyer to help you win the case.

What Factors Need to Be Considered When Choosing a Zantac Lawyer?

Start your search for the right personal injury lawyer by looking for a legal expert well versed in the potential risks of Zantac consumption. They should have at least a basic knowledge of what the ranitidine drug can and can’t do.

For instance, consider hiring a legal advocate who understands that ranitidine may improve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But, they should know the high risks involved from the frequent consumption of that particular medication.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask any questions that may come to mind. Some of your inquiries may include topics like:

• Years of experience
• Win ratio
• Payment options

Hire a lawyer who can personally handle the case. If the attorney isn’t completely capable or confident about your Zantac lawsuit claim, they might pass the case to another attorney.

Patients who experienced grief and suffering because of Zantac or ranitidine consumption may file for a legal claim against the drug's creators. Although this medicine may help improve and prevent gastrointestinal ailments, cancer risks tend to be high from the frequent intake. Ensure that you hire the services of a reliable personal injury lawyer to gain a high chance of winning that legal claim. 

The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.