Zantac Cancer Lawyers in Chicago

Heartburn Drug Linked to Probable Human Carcinogen

On April 1, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that manufacturers of the common heartburn drug Zantac, as well as generic ranitidine drugs must immediately pull their products from store shelves. The announcement came on the heels of an ongoing FDA investigation that determined that levels of the contaminant N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) found in the drug could increase over time or when the product was stored at too-high temperatures.

If you or a loved one suffered harm or was diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac or a similar over-the-counter or prescription medication, contact our Chicago Zantac litigation lawyers to learn more about your legal rights and options. Because this matter is still in its very early stages, it is important that you speak to a knowledgeable attorney who has experience in defective drug cases, like those at McNabola & Associates, LLC.

Call us today at (312) 888-8700 or contact us online to request a free consultation.

What Is NDMA & Why Is It Harmful?

NDMA is a probable human carcinogen. While the Director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr. Janet Woodcock, noted that the investigation did not reveal “unacceptable levels” of the contaminant in all tested samples, the FDA has nevertheless recommended that both distributors and consumers dispose of any Zantac or ranitidine drugs they currently have, as there is no way to determine how long they have been stored.

What to do if you have or are currently taking Zantac or a ranitidine drug:

• Dispose any over-the-counter ranitidine drugs you have. The FDA advises that you do not try to return these items due to current coronavirus concerns. Instead, safely dispose of them according to the instructions on the package.
• If you are taking a prescription ranitidine, be sure to talk to your doctor first before stopping your medication. You should be able to call your doctor to discuss your options, including similar drugs that do not contain NDMA and which can help you.
• If needed, talk to your doctor about taking other heartburn drugs that do not contain NDMA, such as Pepcid, Nexium, Prilosec, or the generic forms of these name-brand drugs. Currently, the FDA has not discovered NDMA in any of these drugs.

When to Contact an Attorney

If you took Zantac or a ranitidine drug, whether it was an over-the-counter drug or a prescription medication and suffered complications or were diagnosed with cancer, it is a good idea to promptly discuss your rights with an experienced attorney. Additionally, if your loved one died from cancer after taking a ranitidine drug, we encourage you to reach out to our firm right away to learn more about your legal options.

Based in Chicago, our legal team serves clients throughout Illinois. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of innocent victims who have suffered immense harm as a result of others’ negligence. Our founding attorney, Ted McNabola, is a highly respected trial lawyer with a 98% success rate in cases he has taken on. Our entire team is well-known for aggressively pursuing our clients’ cases, and we are ready to fight tirelessly for you. To learn how our Chicago Zantac litigation lawyers can help you with your potential case, get in touch with us today.

Call our office at (312) 888-8700 or contact us online using our free case evaluation form.