3 Reasons Why You Might Have Grounds for a Zantac Lawsuit

One of the most talked-about lawsuits in the medical industry, the Zantac lawsuit has seen many people come forward to speak out about their experience with the popular over-the-counter heartburn medication Zantac. The drug, which was frequently prescribed for the treatment of peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and related conditions, has been linked to several medical complications ranging from the formation of tumors to cancer.

If you or a loved one took Zantac before its recall, you may be wondering if you have any grounds for a lawsuit. In this article, we will examine some of the requirements for a successful Zantac lawsuit so you can make an educated decision on the matter and find yourself a tremendous lawyers for a Zantac Lawsuit.

What You Should Know About Zantac

Earlier this year, in April, the Food and Drug Administration requested the recall of all prescription and over-the-counter medications that contain ranitidine, which is known by its brand name Zantac. The drug was recalled after the FDA confirmed that an impurity in some ranitidine products caused the people who took the drug over a long time to develop medical complications which include cancer. The substance that is linked to the formation of tumors and cancers, N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), is found in many food products; however, high levels of exposure to the carcinogen are detrimental to a person’s health.

In the lawsuits against the product, plaintiffs are arguing that the drug was prescribed to them without them being aware that N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has the potential to cause cancer. While Zantac does include a warning label, plaintiffs argue that, because the warning label does not include any specific warnings relating to cancer, it is inadequate. They argue that if the label had disclosed this information, doctors and physicians would not have prescribed it and fewer people would have been exposed to the harmful levels of NDMA. This failure to warn consumers of the dangers of the drug constitutes a reason for a lawsuit.

It must be noted that not every lawsuit that has been filed in this matter will be successful as several factors need to be considered. Below are three requirements that, if they are met, would mean a person has grounds for a Zantac lawsuit.

You Can Prove Usage Over Time

The first reason you should consider filing a lawsuit is if you can prove you have taken Zantac or another form of ranitidine on a semi-regular basis. Prescription-use is easy to confirm as all pharmacies are required to keep accurate records relating to their prescriptions. Users who took over-the-counter versions of the drug will have a tougher time proving their usage; however, if they can provide copies of receipts for when they bought the medication or its use was noted by their medical professional in their medical records, it is not impossible.

You Can Confirm a Related Diagnosis

To make a claim, a person must be able to show injury. In the Zantac lawsuits, this means that a plaintiff must confirm that they have been diagnosed with one of the cancers known to be related to using the drug. The types of cancers that have been linked to Zantac usage include colorectal, intestinal, pancreatic, prostate, breast, stomach, esophageal, and cancers of the liver.

Some of the early symptoms of cancer that can help prove that a consumer has grounds for a lawsuit include changes in bladder and bowel habits, reduced healing, unusual bleeding, indigestion and difficulty swallowing, persistent coughs or blood in the saliva, changes in moles or warts, anemia or a lower blood count than usual, and blood in the stool.

You Can Confirm a Link Between Usage and Diagnosis

While more complicated than the first two requirements, this final step is vital for a successful lawsuit. Zantac users who used the drug frequently over at least a year have the best grounds for a successful claim, although latency periods also have to be taken into consideration before a link can be confirmed. Because there are so many factors to consider, expert advice may be required to establish if a person can prove the link in a courtroom.

If you meet all of the above requirements, you may be successful should you choose to file a lawsuit against Zantac.