You, along with many people, may be wondering, why was Zantac taken off the market. Zantac, also known by its generic version ranitidine, became a popular medication, as it proved to be an effective way for many to treat acid reflux and other gastrointestinal conditions. As an increasing number of people relied on Zantac—many of them taking the medication multiple times a day—an ugly truth remained hidden.
Zantac manufacturers, distributors, and advertisers failed to communicate that the drug could increase one’s risk of developing cancer. Zantac has been found to contain N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, an organic compound in ranitidine which may increase your risk of cancer when ingested in unsafe levels.
The reality of Zantac’s potential cancer-causing properties did not come to light until 2019, when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published their discovery of NDMA in ranitidine-containing medications and online pharmaceutical retailer Valisure petitioned for recall of such drugs, both in its brand name and generic forms (according to ABC News reporting).
Now, increasing numbers of unwitting people who took Zantac regularly for long periods of time are taking legal action.
The Primary Problem Appears to Be Negligence on a Massive Scale
Drugs that are proven to be unsafe are often taken off of the market. The FDA announced voluntary recalls involving various versions of Zantac, confirming what now appears to be crystal-clear: Zantac is an unsafe drug. In short, that is why Zantac was taken off the market.
The conclusion is that Zantac is inherently unstable, and thus cannot be deemed safe.
What You Need to Know About the Negligence That Put You at Risk
If you have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, then there is a chance that serious negligence caused your illness. When seeking compensation, the first party to explore filing against could be the company that brought Zantac to market: Glaxo Holdings, now known as GlaxoSmithKline PLC.
According to a report published in USA Today, manufacturers (and potentially the FDA) may have had insight into Zantac’s possible danger as far back as the 1980s.
Which brings up another possible perpetrator of negligence: the FDA. The regulatory body is responsible for protecting the public from dangerous drugs, yet they clearly failed to do so in the case of Zantac. The FDA gave Zantac its seal of approval in 1983, according to Reuters.
Various other companies have either purchased and manufactured Zantac specifically or produced and sold drugs that mimic Zantac closely, since the first iteration of the medication became available for purchase. These companies may also have acted negligently by failing to adequately test Zantac for safety.
Zantac remained on pharmacy shelves and online marketplaces until 2019. And so, multiple parties are facing lawsuits on behalf of angry individuals who consumed Zantac without being fully aware of its risks, through no fault of their own.
You May Be Able to File a Lawsuit as a Result of Zantac
When negligence occurs, those who have suffered harm can turn to the civil legal system to pursue justice. Because the effect of Zantac’s long-hidden carcinogenic status spreads far and wide, a large and growing number of lawsuits have emerged. You could be eligible to join such a lawsuit or have a lawyer start an individual suit on your behalf.
Manufacturers of Zantac and ranitidine, as well as the FDA, have already indicated that they believe the drug is not safe—this is a safe conclusion based on the drug’s recall. If you believe that Zantac’s danger has possibly affected your or your loved one’s health, you may decide you want to retain a lawyer.
A lawyer may be able to assist you by:
- Examining the details of your case, including medical records and your history of Zantac use, to determine the best approach to your case for compensation
- Helping you join a class-action lawsuit or personally bringing a case on your behalf
- Providing you legal services and advice until your case concludes
A lawyer may also be able to help you collect awards for:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Do not fight or struggle on your own, call a lawyer today.
Call Our Team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
We will provide you responsive legal care that allows you to focus all of your attention on getting better. Let us fight on your behalf. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine team today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
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