People that suffered injuries after taking Zantac for heartburn are turning to a Zantac lawsuit attorney in San Francisco at Rueb Stoller Daniel for assistance with the filing of lawsuits against the manufacturer of the drug. Zantac is a medication that’s available either over-the-counter or by prescription and has been linked to increased cancer risk.
The unfortunate reality is that while the manufacturers of Zantac knew about the increased cancer risk associated with their product, they never informed consumers because they did not want their bottom line to be negatively impacted by the news. Due to their greed, numerous people have either been injured or died over the years.
The companies responsible for this injustice should be held liable for their negligence. A mass tort lawyer in San Francisco can help you hold them accountable and receive compensation in a Zantac Lawsuit.
A Brief Introduction into Zantac and What It Is Used for
Ranitidine is the generic version of Zantac. The drug affects the digestive tract thus reducing the stomach acid level. Zantac is often prescribed for a variety of digestive issues, which include stomach ulcers, heartburn, indigestion, peptic ulcers, intestinal ulcers, and even Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Zantac was first sold in the USA starting in 1981. It has worked its way up over the years to the 50th position on the list of the most commonly prescribed medications in the USA.
What Warnings Has the FDA Issued Regarding Zantac?
September 2019 was when the FDA first put out a warning regarding Zantac. The FDA announced the warning after it discovered the medication’s carcinogenic properties. NDMA is the carcinogenic compound found in Zantac.
After testing, it was found that Zantac contained carcinogenic levels as much as 3,000 to 26,000 times higher than the levels allowed by the FDA.
The FDA currently restricts carcinogenic levels to below 100 nanograms. After testing, it was discovered that a single Zantac tablet could have up to 3,000,000 nanograms of a known carcinogenic compound – NDMA. Over-the-counter Zantac comes in 150 mg tablets.
On the other hand, prescription Zantac comes in 300 mg pills. Users following a typical Zantac prescription are required to take a pill before they go to bed each night for between 6 and 8 weeks.
A lawsuit was filed against Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi that revealed that the companies knew of the higher cancer risk associated with Zantac. While they were aware of the danger, the failure to inform health care providers or even users. Simply put, consumers who were affected should take part in a Zantac lawsuit.
According to various studies, people that use Zantac have NDMA concentrations in their urine that are higher than normal. Their urine NDMA concentrations are actually more than 400 times greater than they would be if they had never touched the medication.
Researchers believe that most users would stop or avoid using Zantac if they knew of the cancer risk associated with the drug. Many of these issued allowed us to pursue a Zantac lawsuit in San Francisco.
Has the Link Between Cancer and Zantac Been Established?
NDMA, which is the carcinogen contained in Zantac, impacts the organs in the human body in several different ways. Particularly significant is the impact on the liver. Long-term NDMA exposure may lead to several different medical conditions which include:
- Lung, kidney, or liver tumors
- Cancer of the bladder or stomach
- Liver fibrosis
- Liver scarring
Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a carcinogen.
Several medical and regulatory groups, which include the FDA are looking into the source of impurities found in ranitidine. The close study of Zantac (ranitidine) will help them to identify more thoroughly the various ways the drug puts users at risk.
As of now, there isn’t a predetermined end date for the investigation. However, once it is complete, the FDA will take the actions it considers necessary depending on what the investigation unearths. These answers will further aid in our discovery for the Zantac lawsuit in San Francisco.
What Tests Have Been Performed on Zantac?
Not long ago, the FDA tested over 100 Zantac tablets and found that the pills actually contained some carcinogenic ingredients. Shockingly, the carcinogen levels in the tablets exceeded the maximum daily limit as set by the FDA by over 2,000 times.
Zantac contains a carcinogenic compound known as nitrosodimethylamine. The more popularly used name for the ingredient is NDMA.
Researchers have uncovered evidence linking NDMA and Zantac to a wide variety of different forms of cancer. Available evidence suggests that Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi, the manufacturers of Zantac (ranitidine hydrochloride), were aware of the carcinogenic properties of Zantac but deliberately failed to inform consumers.
Millions of people suffering from gastrointestinal problems such as sour stomach, heartburn, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, acid reflux, and Barret’s esophagus took the drug without being aware of the fact that doing so could increase their cancer risk.
Has There Been a Recall Issued for Zantac?
The FDA has at this point not issued pharmaceutical companies with any recalls for Zantac. The agency has also not asked retailers not to sell the medication. In spite of that, a good number of retail outlets that previously carried Zantac have opted not to continue selling it until the results of the testing come in.
The data currently appears to show that the NDMA level in Zantac isn’t high enough to cause the development of cancer in humans. NDMA, however, has been listed as a potential carcinogen. The risk of cancer in humans could also be higher if exposed to NDMA for a long time.
Based on that, experts recommend avoiding using Zantac for a long time. The FDA advises people suffering from digestive problems that require medication to discuss the options available to them with a qualified medical professional to find a safer alternative to Zantac. On the market, there are several other medications with similar benefits that don’t contain NDMA.
Who Has Been Named in Zantac Lawsuits?
Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi earned over $1 billion from the sale of Zantac while hiding this information to users. Zantac was the first drug of its type to actually find itself so high when it comes to sales.
Unfortunately, the carcinogenic components in Zantac have resulted in injuries for many users. Suing Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi for misleading users about the dangers that the drug poses is the only available recourse that these users have.
Together, these organizations negligently put patients/users in harm’s way by failing to inform them of the dangers posed by Zantac. It is important to ensure that they are held responsible for their actions.
How Do You File a Zantac Lawsuit?
Over the years, many people in the USA were exposed to NDMA after taking Zantac. Those people have banded together to file several class-action lawsuits against the manufacturers of Zantac.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after using Zantac, you may qualify for compensation. That’s especially true if your cancer affected the bladder or stomach. Claims typically include the damages below:
- Loss of future earning ability
- Loss of income
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Medical expenses for issues caused by taking Zantac
Successful class-action lawsuits also help other users that were exposed to carcinogenic compounds present in Zantac over time who are now suffering as a result.
Users in that category may be eligible to receive financial settlements to help pay for any medical costs associated with their exposure to the carcinogenic compounds in the Zantac. Class-action settlements may also include money for covering any lost income.
The other key benefit associated with class-action lawsuits is that they set a precedent that compels pharmaceutical manufacturers to follow strict labeling standards. In many cases, new laws are enacted, too, thus helping to ensure that consumers are protected from similar types of exposure.
MedWatch has asked both users of ranitidine and healthcare professionals to let them know about any adverse side effects suffered as a consequence of taking the medication. The risks of this type of medication are carefully tracked by the MedWatch organization.
Filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Zantac is done in the same way as a personal injury case. Prior to filing your lawsuit, it is important to understand how the process works. The first step should be hiring an experienced Zantac attorney in San Francisco that has previously handled personal injury cases related to medications and pharmaceuticals.
If somebody that you cared for died after taking Zantac, you should hire an attorney that handles wrongful death cases. An experienced San Francisco based lawyer can help you put together a successful Zantac lawsuit.
Since the lawyer will be experienced in such cases, they will help you avoid making mistakes that may ruin your chances for a successful lawsuit. At the same time, they will also help you present your evidence in the best possible way.
If you hire a mass tort lawyer, they will discuss the case with you in detail to determine the party responsible for your injuries. When it comes to putting together the actual case, you will also play a critical role.
It will be up to you to gather evidence for backing up your claim. The evidence you collect will form part of the lawsuit and will play an important role in determining the amount of compensation you end up receiving.
Victims in such cases are also eligible to sue for punitive and compensatory damages. With the assistance of your attorney, you can determine how much your claim is potentially worth. It is important to calculate your damages carefully to ensure that you get everything you are owed.
Trust A Zantac Lawsuit Attorney In San Francisco to Put Together A Strong Case
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or even a fatality after taking Zantac, call Rueb Stoller Daniel today. We will schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Please note that you won’t be obligated to continue using our services after the free initial consultation. If we do accept your case, we will not charge you any money unless we secure compensation for you.
It is important to ensure that pharmaceutical manufacturers are held responsible for their actions. Get in touch with Rueb Stoller Daniel at 1-866-CALL-RSD to discuss your case as well as figure out the best course of action moving forward. Depending on your situation, our Zantac lawyers in San Francisco can help you determine the most suitable steps to take next.
