In a recent discovery, it has been found that Zantac, a medication for acid reflux and heartburn ailment, is linked with causing liver cancer.
The United States Food and Drug Administration recalled the medicine and requested the manufacturers and retailers to withdraw and hold the production and sales of medicine. According to https://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/zantac-liver-cancer.html, the medicine was raking in sales of over $1 billion only a few years after being made available in the market. Meaning, there are probably hundreds of thousands of people that have been affected negatively by the use of Zantac.
Several law firms are helping victims of Zantac malpractice to receive compensation. Let us read further to know how this medicine is linked with cancer.
Use of Zantac
Ranitidine is a medicine sold under the brand name Zantac. This medicine is used as the counter medicine for heartburn caused due to indigestion, and acid reflux, and as prescribed medication for the treatment of peptic ulcers, esophageal ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Why was Zantac recalled?
Zantac was recalled because a carcinogenic chemical called Nitrosodimythelamine (NDMA), is found in higher concentrations inside Zantac. It was found that NDMA content was ten times more than the limit set for oral consumption.
NDMA is a volatile yellow-colored liquid that is highly hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in nature. NDMA content in Zantac is not the first incidence that was discovered. In 2018, NDMA was found in various products of Valsartan, which was also recalled.
It was also discovered that when the medication was left at room temperature for a few days, the chemical reaction caused increased the chemical concentration of NDMA making it highly dangerous for consumption.
Health conditions associated with usage of Zantac
Zantac consumption over a prolonged period can lead to several health conditions such as:
- Cancer
One can get cancer from long-term usage of Zantac. Cancer-associated with Zantac consumptions are:
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colon cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Cardiovascular conditions
Consumption for long-term may lead to several cardiovascular conditions such as:
- Tachycardia
- Sinus Bradycardia
- Premature ventricular beats
- Atrioventricular block
- Hypertension
- Central Nervous System conditions
- Confusion
- Depression
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Blood disorders
There are several blood system disorders that one might acquire due to Zantac consumption, such as:
- Anemia
- Leukopenia
- Granulocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Marrow hypoplasia
- Marrow aplasia
- Aplastic anemia
- Acquired immune hemolytic anemia
- Other disorders
- Liver disorder
- Renal disorder
- Reproductive disorder
- Vision and eye disorder
Zantac Lawsuit
The investigation that led to linking Zantac with cancer was followed by thousands of lawsuits against the manufacturers of Zantac and retailers who sold Zantac. Zantac manufacturers or companies who made the generic similar can be sued.
Some companies that can be sued for liver cancer or damage associated with Zantac are Sanofi, Mylan, Sandoz Inc, Apotex Corp, Novitium Pharma, and Glenmark Pharmaceutical. Retailers such as Walmart, CVS, Target, etc are also facing lawsuits for selling Zantac.
Who can file lawsuits against Zantac?
Those affected by the use of Zantac can seek the help of a professional attorney to file a lawsuit. According to Zantac lawyers, an individual must meet the following conditions to be eligible for filing a lawsuit against Zantac:
- Consumption of Zantac
To be eligible to participate in a lawsuit, you need to provide proof that you have consumed Zantac. You can prove this by presenting medical records, prescriptions, and bills.
- Cancer diagnosis after consumption
After presenting your proof that you have consumed Zantac, you have to provide evidence that you acquired cancer after consuming Zantac. Your evidence must lead to the Zantac usage that caused cancer. You won’t be liable for any compensation if you had cancer before consuming Zantac.
- The link between cancer and Zantac
Lastly, you have to present the link between cancer and Zantac usage. It can’t be visible proof but your doctor might be able to help you out by describing the link as to how NDMA causes cancer to you.
The compensation you may derive from the Zantac lawsuit is as follows:
- Medical bills
- Loss of partnership
- Loss of a loved one
- Lost wages during the time of treatment
- Lost job
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Travel cost for treatment
Filing a lawsuit for wrongful death
Those who have lost their loved ones to cancer risks associated with Zantac usage can file complaints through independent claims or class action claims against Zantac manufacturers and receive financial compensation.
Qualifying candidates who are eligible for filing and receiving compensation can be parents, siblings, children, or grandparents of the lost life. They can receive the compensations:
- Past medical bills
- Lost earning capacity
- Future medical costs of descendants
- Loss of companionship
- The emotional pain of bereavement
Statute of limitation
The statute of limitation prohibits you from filing a complaint if you wait too long to file. The statute of limitation for the Zantac Lawsuit has been determined for two years. This means that you can’t file a case after two years of finding the diagnosis caused due to Zantac usage.
Conclusion
It is upsetting to see how manufacturers and retailers act as a protective layer between us and harmful drugs but they still chose to play with people’s life. We advise you to seek medical consultation from your doctor if have been using Zantac for a long time. Contact an attorney if your diagnosis links with Zantac consumption and receive compensation for your damage.
