Since 2019, thousands of Americans have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical company Sanofi. The reason for this is that Sanofi’s commonly used antacid, Zantac – together with its generic equivalents – was found to be linked to various kinds of cancer. Consumers who had used the product in the past, and had then developed cancer, have gone on to file suits against Sanofi, claiming that their diseases are linked to Zantac and its active ingredient, ranitidine.
Why Are Zantac Lawsuits Being Filed?
After years of marketing Zantac as a common, over-the-counter antacid, Sanofi issued a recall on the product after it was found that ranitidine contained N-Nitrosodimethylamine (‘NDMA’) — a probable human carcinogen. In April 2020, the FDA instructed all manufacturers to stop selling ranitidine-based antacids. Retailers and wholesalers were instructed to remove any stock they may have on their shelves, as it was found that NDMA contamination increases the longer the drug stands on the shelf. The lawsuits that have been filed since the recall claim that:
- Zantac’s design is effective because of the use of the unstable compound ranitidine.
- The Zantac drug label did not inform consumers of the cancer risk associated with ranitidine.
Which Cancers Can Be Linked To Zantac?
The cancers most commonly linked to Zantac are those that affect the stomach, esophagus, live pancreas, and bladder. Bladder cancer appears to have the strongest connection to ranitidine.
Do You Qualify for a Zantac Lawsuit?
If you have made substantial use of Zantac in the past and have then gone on to develop cancer (particularly one of those listed above), you may well qualify to join a class-action lawsuit. If this case, then you should consider the following:
Can You Prove That You Have Regularly Taken Zantac?
You must first be able to prove that you took Zantac. If the drug was prescribed for you, you can simply produce a copy of the script or your medical/ pharmacy records. If you bought the drug over the counter, that is a little more challenging. You will need to show receipts or other corroborating evidence to prove that you have used the product.
Confirm That Your Diagnosis Is Related To Zantac
You have a cancer diagnosis and you have proof that you used Zantac. Now you need to prove that there is a correlation between the two. The science is still developing on this matter, so absolute proof is difficult to produce. You will need to show a diagnosis of primary cancer of the digestive tract, liver, bladder, small intestine, or esophagus.
Consider The Latency Period Associated With Zanta Injuries
You cannot simply claim that there is a correlation between one dose of Zantac and a cancer diagnosis a day or two later. There is a latency period that needs to be considered if a link between ranitidine use and a cancer diagnosis is to be established. Again, the science is unclear on this question right now. As the situation currently stands, you will need to show at least one year of latency, i.e., one year between the first time you started taking Zantac and the time you developed the disease.
Contact An Attorney
Once you have considered all these factors, call a Zantac class action attorney and discuss the details of your case with them. They will then be able to determine whether you have a case and qualify to join an ongoing Zantac lawsuit.
About Shamis & Gentile, P.A.
Shamis & Gentile, P.A. provides outstanding legal services in Florida and New York. We distinguish ourselves because of our experience and resources, which we combine to handle any kind of case involving personal injury, personal injury protection, class actions/mass tort, and contract disputes. When you bring your case to Shamis & Gentile, P.A., you will always work with a seasoned attorney who has an excellent track record. We are progressive and trusted within the legal community and we are often called upon to settle cases that other law firms may not be able to handle on their own. If you have developed cancer after using Zantac (in line with the considerations listed above), call us and book a consultation with a Zantac class action attorney.
