Zantac Stomach, Colon, Bladder, and Lung Cancer

Researchers have found a possible link between Zantac and cancer. Medications that contain ranitidine, specifically N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), have been classified as carcinogens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that patients stop taking Zantac immediately to decrease their risk of developing cancer. The longer a patient has been taking Zantac, the greater the risk of developing cancer. If you have already taken Zantac for an extended period of time, you should continue to be aware of potential cancer symptoms.

Every year, people lose their lives to cancer; especially when the cancer is not discovered until the later stages of the disease. When a drug company markets a product as a safe medication, patients assume that it is safe to take. When a patient has not been warned about the danger of developing cancer, and they end up developing cancer, they have a right to bring a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer for their injuries.

If you are considering filing a lawsuit after developing cancer, you will need to prove that you were prescribed, purchased, and took Zantac. Typically, that proof will include a prescription from a medical doctor, or a note from your doctor recommending that you take the medication.

While Zantac was available to purchase without a prescription, doctors have also prescribed variations and strengths of ranitidine over the counter. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, or your loved one has passed away from cancer after taking Zantac, the best thing you can do is consult with an attorney who can review your case. You will need to submit your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, or you risk not being able to bring a lawsuit.

Typically, individuals file lawsuits on their behalf after developing cancer while taking Zantac. Sadly, some patients who have been taking Zantac only discover their cancer symptoms when the disease is in the late stages. By the time doctors diagnose cancer, it is often too late to stop the spread. Many people with late-stage cancer pass away within months or a year of being diagnosed.

When a loved one dies from cancer after taking Zantac, his or her family members can bring a lawsuit on behalf of the deceased individual. Any compensation recovered by the product liability lawsuit will go toward covering the deceased’s medical bills, funeral expenses, and compensating loved ones for the lost wages and loss of companionship they have suffered.

NDMA has been linked with non-cancerous liver damage, and researchers have used the chemical to induce liver tumors in rodents. NDMA and Zantac have been linked to the following types of cancer:

• Stomach cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphoma

If you have suffered any cancer symptoms, such as weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, blood in the urine, a cough that will not go away, or vomiting, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible. Typically, the sooner your doctor diagnoses your cancer, the better your options are for medical treatment and recovery.

If you file a lawsuit after taking Zantac and developing cancer, you may be eligible for some form compensation. Successful plaintiffs can recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. The treatment of cancer often requires expensive medication, testing, hospital stays, and therapy. By pursuing a product liability lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost past and future wages, pain and suffering, and any other expenses directly related to the cancer diagnosis.

Plaintiffs who have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac may have a right to file a product liability lawsuit. In North Carolina, plaintiffs must bring a lawsuit based on negligence within three years of the injury or loss, otherwise they may be barred from bringing the claim.

Product liability lawsuits are complex, and your legal team will need enough time to gather evidence, speak with medical experts, and prepare your case. The sooner you discuss your case with your attorney, the better. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, one of our personal injury lawyers can evaluate the circumstances of your case and help you decide the best way to move forward. For your convenience and safety, we offer video and phone conferencing. If you prefer an in-person consultation, we have three easy to reach offices in Uptown Charlotte, Monroe and Mooresville. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.