The American College of Gastroenterology reports that over 60 million Americans have heartburn a minimum of once a month, and more than 15 million have symptoms of heartburn every day. Heartburn can be extremely uncomfortable, impacting sleep and other important areas of life. No wonder many Americans elect to treat their chronic heartburn.
Sadly, while trying to treat their symptoms, some patients may have been exposed to carcinogens. If you are one of them and received a cancer diagnosis, reach out to a knowledgeable San Francisco personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can review your case to help you determine your next steps.
The Problem with Zantac
In the fall of 2019, the Connecticut-based online pharmacy Valisure reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that when testing some batches of Zantac or ranitidine, it had found the cancer-causing chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA. According to the FDA, humans should not have more than 96 nanograms of NDMA per day. Lab testing reveals that some Zantac preparations have over 3,000,000 ng per tablet. Some manufacturers began to pull their ranitidine-containing products from the market at that time.
What is NDMA?
On April 1, 2020, the FDA requested all manufacturers of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) remove them from the market immediately. While not all products tested contain NDMA, the FDA cannot control or test every product available to consumers. Some levels of NDMA can increase over time or when the product is stored at increased temperatures.
NDMA is a known cancer-causing agent that causes cancer and death in animals. It is also extremely toxic to the human liver. NDMA has been linked to cancers of the bladder, brain, liver, kidneys, breast, lungs, and stomach. Some patients who took ranitidine and later were diagnosed with cancer are now hiring a San Francisco personal injury lawyer to pursue their rights to compensation.
Are Zantac Manufacturers Liable?
There is evidence dating as far back as 1981, showing that the manufacturers or Zantac and ranitidine knew about NDMA in their products. This evidence also suggests that they knew that NDMA would increase when combined with stomach acid after this drug was ingested. Instead of bringing this evidence to the public and the FDA, they hid it so they could continue to profit from the medication.
These manufacturers had a duty to warn patients and their doctors about the risks associated with Zantac use, and they did not. Therefore, with the help of a San Francisco personal injury lawyer, they could be found liable in a court of law for causing cancer in some patients.
Get Help after Taking Zantac from a Skilled San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney
If you took Zantac or ranitidine for any length of time and later received a cancer diagnosis, there could be a link. This means you could be entitled to receive compensation for your damages arising from your cancer. The best way to determine what your legal rights are is to speak with a San Francisco personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
For more than 60 years, our firm has provided Northern California residents with the legal representation they need. We are nationally recognized as a leading authority in personal injury and wrongful death law. Receive your free personalized case review from an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer by calling The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 851-6486 or use our convenient online request form.
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