Zantac lawsuits are likely to be filed in the coming years, with many experts and consumers attributing the drug as the main cause of cancer. Various law firms are currently viewing Zantac lawsuits filed by Zantac users, especially those who’ve developed cancer after taking the drug for years.

Indeed, the lawsuits have just started. But with the number of victims, it’s speculated that the cost of settlement may reach up to billions of dollars. The good thing is, several attorneys are investigating these lawsuits already.

A clear understanding of Zantac

Zantac, a Ranitidine drug, is part of a class of drugs which are known as H2 blockers. This has existed for years and was founded in the 1980s. Millions of people have used it and its generic counterparts for years, especially in the treatment of acid reflux.

However, the recently-concluded testing found out that Zantac contains N-nitrosodimethylamine, commonly referred to as NDMA. It is an active ingredient found to have been added to the drug, which is a contaminant known for causing cancer.

NDMA is classified as an unstable form of organic chemical. This chemical is developed as an unintentional by-product formed during various manufacturing processes, which involved reactions from chemicals called alkylamines. The chemical is toxic to the body, in particular to the liver. It is believed to be a carcinogen dating back to the 1970s.

The USFDA issued a safety warning for the public against the possible cancerous risks of the drug. Pharmacies throughout the country recalled Zantac and other Ranitidine drugs from the shelves. They stated and insisted that if the chemical found in Zantac is ingested, the people using it will likely develop cancer.

Only the pharmaceutical company named Valisure argued that NDMA is not the issue, but it is the dosage of the chemical that should be questioned. The company also argued that a small amount of the chemical wouldn’t bring harm. Thus, two sides of the argument will be tried and defended before the court of law.

The drug received the same response from several pharmacies in the UK. This immediately happened while the lawsuit was still unravelling. These pharmacies took down the product and will avoid selling it until a verdict is reached.

More people decided to file against Sanofi, the company behind the contaminated Zantac products. Those who weren’t diagnosed with cancer were seeking compensation due to the health risk the company brought to them only for the sake of profit.

Zantac lawsuits in the US vs the UK

Zantac lawsuits will take a long time to settle, both in the US and the UK. Moreover, many expect that hundreds and newer plaintiffs will file their claims.

In the US, lawsuits claimed that Sanofi had known about the severe side effects of the drug and NDMA’s potential dangers. The company failed to warn the public of the potential problems this drug may bring to its consumers. Hence, several lawsuits are being consolidated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the United States. Since these drug cases were said to be large litigation, the current state of the cases are still pending.

In the UK, several Zantac users vehemently believe that the drug leads to cancer. The next thing to prove before the court is the direct relationship between cancer & NDMA.

Several lawsuits have caught the public eye, including the following:

• Joseph Galimidi, a Zantac user, sued Sanofi over the diagnosis of breast cancer after taking the medication.
• Mark Allen Blake sued Sanofi after using Zantac 4 times a week for 23 years. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018.
• Zantac Class Action Lawsuit, Settlement, & Multidistrict Litigation. This lawsuit is filed in the Northern District of California. So far, four plaintiffs have filed their legal complaint against the Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi. The manufacturers have failed to give warning to consumers regarding the scientific link of ranitidine and NDMA. As of the moment, more than five-hundred cases are still on pending status following the Zantac.

The Zantac lawsuits are underway, with claimants requesting compensation for both punitive and compensatory damages.

Takeaway

The response of Zantac lawsuits both in the US and the UK should be enough for you to stop taking the product. It’s better to find safer alternatives for acid reflux and heartburn. If you’re currently taking Zantac, or have taken some in the past, don’t hesitate to seek legal help from a Zantac lawyer. Although no money can replace the mental, physical, and emotional discomfort brought by this situation, the compensation can help with the inconveniences and medical bills for the damage the drug caused.