Defective Product and Recall Services in Ogden, Utah

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Periodically, a new drug, medical device, or consumer product causes injuries and those devices are recalled. When products are recalled, often those injured by the product will be compensated for the injuries they sustained. At Farr, Cragun & Berube, P.C., we offer the legal insight, industry knowledge, and courtroom experience that our clients need to build a case that is critical to their claims.

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Zantac Lawsuit - Bladder & Stomach Cancer

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The Zantac lawsuits claim that Zantac can be contaminated with the cancer-causing substance N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

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Farr, Cragun & Berube, P.C. is accepting clients who took Zantac and have been diagnosed with cancer. We have been handling lawsuits against drug companies for over 20 years.  Contact us today to discuss your case.

 

What Do We Know About the Zantac Lawsuits?

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On September 13, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported the discovery of the carcinogenic contaminant N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac (ranitidine), a common heartburn medication available in both prescription and over-the-counter versions.

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In April of 2020, the FDA announced that all Zantac brand heartburn drugs, prescription and over-the-counter, should be immediately pulled from the market because of potential NDMA contamination, a chemical linked to cancer.

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The first Zantac lawsuit was filed in California on 2019. In that lawsuit, the plaintiffs accuse drugmakers Sanofi and Boerhringer Ingelheim of manufacturing, marketing, and selling a product they knew or should have known had been contaminated with an industrial chemical known to cause cancer.

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The exact cause of the NDMA contamination is still under investigation. However, during the period in which Boerhinger Ingelheim and Sanofi manufactured and marketed Zantac, scientific research demonstrated a clear link between ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac, and NDMA. Specifically, when ranitidine comes in contact with water, it creates a chemical reaction that causes the formation of NDMA.  Despite the availability of this information, the drugmakers chose not to disclose this risk to the government or to consumers.

 

What Injuries & Side Effects Result from Zantac and NDMA?

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In addition to causing cancer, NDMA is a potent hepatotoxin. Short-term exposure to NDMA can cause liver damage (such as liver fibrosis and scarring). Long-term exposure can increase the risk of liver, kidney, and lung tumors.

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Symptoms of NDMA overexposure include:

• Headaches 

• Fever

• Nausea

• Jaundice

• Vomiting

• Abdominal cramps

• Enlarged liver

• Reduced function of the liver, kidneys and lungs

• Dizziness

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Other adverse effects that have been associated with Zantac include:

 

• Nervous system disorder

• Arrhythmia or tachycardia (irregular or rapid heartbeat

• vitamin B-12 deficiency

• Hepatitis, liver failure, and jaundice

• Increased risk of pneumonia

• Low platelet levels in the blood

• Skin rashes and hair loss

 

What Do We Know About NDMA?

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NDMA is used in aviation and rocket fuel and industrial lubricants. It is also a by-product of several industrial processes, including gasoline refining and the treatment of wastewater containing nitrogen.

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Other applications for NDMA include inducing carcinogenesis in laboratory rats for cancer research. NDMA may also be found in a number of food products, such as cured meats, and is an ingredient in tobacco fumes. Fortunately, NDMA does not appear to accumulate in tissues.

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Under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), NDMA is classified as “extremely hazardous.” Because of this, there are stringent reporting requirements for companies and individuals who produce, store, or use the substance in large amounts.

 

What Compensation is Recoverable in Zantac Lawsuits?

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If you took Zantac and have been diagnosed with cancer, then we will be seeking the following damages for you:

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• Past and future medical expenses that result from the injuries.

• Past and future pain and suffering (physical and mental) caused by the injuries, and the treatment and recovery process.

• Past and future wage loss.

• Past and future loss of earning capacity.

• Past and future loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive damages, if appropriate.

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You can trust that the attorneys and support staff at Farr, Cragun & Berube, P.C. are well-trained in product liability cases. We are ready to work aggressively on a strategic plan to resolve the issues at stake for you. We protect our clients with our extensive experience of product liability actions.  Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss you case and get the compensation you are entitled to.

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