Zantac Recall and Cancer from Zantac
Have you been taking Zantac? Have you been diagnosed with Cancer? If the answer to both of these questions is “yes,” you might be eligible to collect compensation from the makers of Zantac. Call our Zantac Cancer lawyers to learn more.
We all take medication with the expectation that it will help us. Whether we buy something over the counter (OTC) or get a prescription from our health care provider, the assumption is always that the drug we take will cause more harm than good. Sadly, this is not always the case.
In recent months it has become clear that certain popular medications are contaminated with a known carcinogen called N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Tests have shown that NDMA exists in dangerously high amounts in Zantac and Ranitidine – the generic form of Zantac.
Studies show that NDMA can be toxic when ingested and can lead to a variety of serious diseases, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
If you have been a regular user of brand-name or generic Zantac in prescription or OTC form and developed cancer, it could be from NDMA. Cancer patients who took Zantac are filing lawsuits against the makers of the drug to hold them accountable for their illnesses. Our Zantac lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP are reviewing cases now.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, let us know. We can tell you if you are eligible to file a Zantac lawsuit and collect compensation. Call us at 800-403-6191 today.
NDMA is Believed to Cause Cancer
NDMA, a byproduct of industrial processes, is known to cause cancer in animals. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as probably carcinogenic to humans. This means that it probably causes cancer in people.
The link between NDMA and various types of cancer was first discovered back in the 1970s. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), test results support the assumption that consumption of NDMA is associated with gastric or colorectal cancer.
FDA Warns the Public About NDMA in Zantac
According to the FDA, the safe daily intake limit for NDMA is 96 ng. Independent testing found that the levels of NDMA in a single tablet of Zantac to be over 25,000 times this. FDA tests revealed a lower level of NDMA but still dangerously high. The levels in Zantac, according to the FDA, were 3,000 times the acceptable daily limit.
The FDA issued a warning in September 2019. The caution advised the public that there were unacceptable levels of NDMA in Zantac and Ranitidine. Several pharmacies across the nation, including some of the largest, Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens stopped selling Zantac and Ranitidine products.
There have been some voluntary recalls of generic brands of Zantac, as well. However, Sanofi-Aventis, the manufacturer of brand-name Zantac, has allowed stores to continue selling, and doctors to continue prescribing Zantac contaminated with cancer-causing NDMA.
Cancers Caused by Zantac are Among the Deadliest
The diseases most closely related to the ingestion of Zantac and NDMA are some of the most severe and challenging to treat. The survival rates for Zantac cancers are not high. With early detection, the general 5-year survival rates are:
- Bladder cancer 77%
- Kidney cancer 75%
- Stomach cancer 65%
- Colon cancer 64%
For each of these cancers, the 5-year survival rate drops precipitously if the cancer is found in patients’ lymph nodes or surrounding organs.
For Pancreatic cancer, the survival rate, regardless of when it is diagnosed or where it has spread, is only 7%.
Early detection is essential to finding the successful treatment of these cancers. Unfortunately for individuals taking Zantac, some of the symptoms of the cancer may be masked by the symptoms for which they are using Zantac in the first place.
What are the Symptoms of Zantac Cancers?
While all cancers can present differently, the following are often some of the symptoms of the cancers associated with Zantac and NDMA:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Severe persistent heartburn
- Severe persistent indigestion
- Feeling bloated or full after eating small amounts
- Gas pains
- Diarrhea
- Blood in your stool or urine
Not all cancers can be related to a specific incident or event that caused someone to be sick. However, when you learn that you have been unknowingly exposing yourself to a toxic carcinogen such as NDMA in Zantac, it makes sense that the Zantac caused your illness.
How are Zantac-Related Cancers Treated?
Every cancer case is unique. Treating cancer requires consultations with a variety of doctors; oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, hematologists, and more. Treatment for cancers can include multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and a variety of combinations of mediations and methods.
One thing most cancer has in common is that it wreaks havoc on the patients and their families. Treatment usually comes with painful, miserable side effects. Even the “easiest” of cancer treatments can cause the victim to be sick, exhausted, and forgetful. It can result in hair loss, weight loss, and the inability to live anything close to a normal life.
What Can You Do if Zantac Caused Your Cancer?
If you took Zantac and were diagnosed with bladder, stomach, colon, kidney, or pancreatic cancer, you have a long road ahead of you as you embark on your treatment. Perhaps you lost someone to one of these diseases and are still recovering from your ordeal. Try to find a moment to consider if Zantac may be to blame.
Lawsuits are currently being filed by individuals and families affected by contaminated Zantac and NDMA. You might be eligible to file a claim against the drug manufacturers who knew or should have known about the toxic dangers of Zantac and Ranitidine. If successful, a lawsuit can provide you with compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, wrongful death, and pain and suffering.
Call our Zantac Cancer Lawyers
Alonso Krangle, LLP, has lawyers reviewing Zantac claims. If you were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac or ranitidine, you might be able to file a lawsuit and collect compensation. Call Alonso Krangle, LLP today at 800-403-6191, for a free evaluation of your Zantac lawsuit.