A Pennsylvania man has filed a Zantac cancer lawsuit, alleging that his bladder cancer was caused by exposure to Zantac contaminated with NDMA.

The plaintiff, Kenneth M., allegedly began using brand name over-the-counter Zantac in the late 1990s and continued this use consistently through 2018. Unfortunately, Kenneth was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2018, which he claims in his lawsuit was a direct result of exposure to Zantac that had been contaminated with the impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA.

Kenneth alleges that had he been warned about the risks of NDMA exposure from ingesting Zantac, he would never have taken the drug. However, he says he didn’t actually learn about the link between Zantac exposure and cancer until Oct. 2019. Drug manufacturers named in his lawsuit as defendants include Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Chattem, Pfizer, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Kenneth filed his Zantac cancer lawsuit on multiple counts, including design defect, failure to warn, negligence, and breach of express and implied warranties. Kenneth’s wife, Trixie F., also filed on a count of loss of consortium. The plaintiffs filed their Zantac cancer lawsuit on March 6, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Zantac—also known by its generic name, ranitidine—is a popular acid reduction drug. Ranitidine is commonly used to treat ulcers (and prevent them from coming back), as well as treat other conditions associated with excess stomach acid.

As with any medication, ranitidine comes with the risk of certain complications, including headaches, constipation, and diarrhea, which are included in its warnings. However, ranitidine has also been linked with more serious health complications, including cancer, linked with exposure to a contaminant known as NDMA.

N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, is an industrial waste product that is considered a probable human carcinogen—that is, a substance probably capable of causing cancer in humans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement on Sept. 13, 2019 over the presence of NDMA contamination in ranitidine.

The FDA noted that research had found “low levels” of NDMA in some ranitidine medicines. The agency said that people should be aware of this potential risk, talk to their doctor if they have any concerns, and consider using another approved medication if they use an over-the-counter version of the drug.

Previously, NDMA has been discovered contaminating valsartan and other ARB blocker medications.

Reports of NDMA contamination in ranitidine drugs led drugmakers to begin announcing voluntary recalls of these drugs in Sept. 2019 due to the risk of causing cancer in patients exposed to the drug.

Sandoz, which manufacturers a generic form of Zantac, announced a recall on Sept. 23, 2019, with other manufacturers following in its wake. Sanofi, which manufacturers Zantac, the brand name version of ranitidine, announced a voluntary recall in Oct. 2019.

Filing a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from stomach cancer or bladder cancer after exposure to ranitidine, especially long-term, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially after a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

The Zantac Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 2:20-cv-01365-CDJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.