If you took Zantac (ranitidine) and developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation

What you need to know to file a Zantac lawsuit in South Carolina

The popular heartburn medication known as “Zantac” has been pulled from pharmacy shelves due to concerns that the medication significantly increases the risk of contracting cancer.

Dozens of lawsuits have already been filed, and litigation has been consolidated in federal court as analysts expect the number of cases to swell into the thousands.

The law firm of Chappell, Chappell and Newman is actively pursuing lawsuits against Zantac on behalf of clients who may have developed cancer as a result of using the drug. The cancer risk associated with Zantac use is closely related to the dose of Zantac you were taking and the length of time you were taking it.

Presently, we are limiting our cases to individuals who took Zantac on a daily basis for at least 1 year.

If you or a loved one has a history of using Zantac and later received a cancer diagnosis, we encourage you to contact us to explore your legal options.

The history of Zantac

GlaxoSmithKline first developed Zantac in 1977, and it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1983. The Zantac patent expired in 1994, enabling approximately 10 other pharmaceutical companies to begin selling its generic ingredient, ranitidine. At the same time, both the brand name and generic versions of Zantac began over-the-counter sales at a wide variety of pharmacies.

On April 1, 2020, the FDA announced an immediate recall of all prescription and over-the-counter medications containing ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac. According to scientific studies, ingestion of ranitidine can lead to exposure to a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Zantac® Lawsuit FAQS

How does Zantac cause cancer?

Prior to the 2020 recall of Zantac, ranitidine was used to treat heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. The drug worked by reducing the production of stomach acid. However, taking the drug often led to the accumulation of NDMA in the body.

NDMA is a chemical found in Zantac and other ranitidine products. According to the FDA, NDMA is classified as a “probable human carcinogen.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also classified NDMA as a “likely human carcinogen,” meaning it’s possible that NDMA could cause cancer in humans.

The FDA has not yet determined how NDMA is formed in ranitidine products, but the organization believes that time and temperature may play a role in its development. It’s currently investigating the issue and has instructed manufacturers to test their products for NDMA contamination.

Types of cancer linked to Zantac

Many types of cancer are thought to be connected to Zantac use, though the science underlying the connection is still evolving.

Currently, these cancers are being investigated for a potential link to Zantac:

While these cancers currently have the most evidence linking them to Zantac, any type of cancer may be associated with the drug. Other cancers that are possibly associated with the ingestion of Zantac may include but are not limited to the following:

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any of the above cancers and have a history of taking Zantac, it’s vital that you speak with a knowledgeable medical injury attorney who can help investigate your case.

What you should know if you’ve previously taken Zantac

In response to the FDA recall of the original Zantac formula, Zantac released a new medication called Zantac 360°. This product contains a new formula with famotidine, another drug that reduces stomach acid, as its active ingredient. This means that if you’re taking the current formulation of Zantac, you don’t need to worry about NDMA contamination.

While patients are no longer being directly exposed to NDMA through Zantac, for many, the damage has already been done and is continuing to unravel daily.

Anyone who has previously used a Zantac product manufactured prior to April 1, 2020, is at an elevated risk of developing cancer. Cancer can take years or even decades to develop after exposure to a carcinogen, so the full effect of nearly 40 years of nationwide ranitidine use is yet to be seen.

Patients who were previously taking a product containing ranitidine should speak with their doctor about alternative acid reflux treatments. They should also discuss their potential cancer risk.

If a physician believes that a patient is at risk of developing cancer due to prior Zantac use, they should create a plan to screen for cancer at regular intervals. If cancer is detected in these patients, they may have legal options available to help them obtain financial compensation.

What to expect when filing a Zantac cancer lawsuit

Patients who’ve been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac may be eligible to recover damages for their injuries, including:

If you or a loved one has developed cancer after taking Zantac, you should begin the process of filing a lawsuit by contacting an attorney for a consultation. The attorney will review your case and determine if you have a valid claim.

If the attorney chooses to take on your case, they will file a lawsuit on your behalf and begin the process of gathering evidence to support your claim. This will likely include obtaining your medical records and speaking with expert witnesses.

After the attorney has gathered enough evidence, they will file a motion for summary judgment. This is a request that the court rule in your favor without the need for a trial. If the motion is not granted, your case will go to trial. At trial, both sides will present their evidence, and a jury will ultimately decide if you should be awarded damages.

If you win your case, the court will issue a judgment in your favor. The defendant (in this case, the drug manufacturer) will then have a certain amount of time to pay the damages that have been awarded.

The amount of money that you may be awarded will depend on the specific facts of your case as it undergoes this process, but looking at similar cases can give you a general idea of the amount of compensation you can expect.

What’s the average payout for a Zantac lawsuit?

If you file a Zantac cancer claim with the help of an experienced product liability lawyer, you can likely expect to receive between $20,000 and $400,000 in compensation based on current Zantac payouts. However, you should know that this amount is never guaranteed and will depend on the individual circumstances of your case.

Additionally, it’s important to know that there’s a time limit on how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after receiving a cancer diagnosis, which is typically 3 years, so it’s vital that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your right to compensation is protected.

Contact Chappell, Chappell and Newman about your Zantac case

Unlike most law firms pursuing these cases, Chappell, Chappell and Newman limits its clientele to those in the South Carolina area. This allows you to speak with our attorneys one-on-one, rather than a nameless “intake specialist” in some faraway state. Attorney Graham Newman will be handling your case should you choose to retain us, and both are available to speak to you about your potential case.