The Costs of Treating Cancer from Taking Zantac

Monday, September 20, 2021

The Costs of Treating Cancer from Taking Zantac

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

On April 1, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was requesting manufacturers withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately. This was following an investigation of a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine medications (commonly known by the brand name Zantac). 

If you believe you suffered cancer-related injuries due to this medication, contact a Chicago Zantac lawyer right away. 

What is Zantac, and What Harm Did it Cause?

NDMA, which is the ingredient in the drug Zantac, is an environmental contaminant that is found in water and foods such as vegetables, dairy products, and grilled meats. Although taking Zantac posed no immediate health risks, NDMA may cause cancer after exposure to high doses over a long period of time.

What Kind of Cancer Does Zantac Cause?

Because over-the-counter Zantac contains high levels of NDMA, it could be linked or associated with several types of cancers, including:

• Stomach cancer. Alternatively known as gastric cancer, this cancer forms over a very long time, usually years.
• Small and large intestines cancer. This is a rare type of cancer that can be deadly if not detected early enough before spreading to other parts of the body.
• Colorectal cancer. This is a form of cancer that starts as a polyp in the rectum area or colon. If these polyps get enlarged, they are likely to cause cancer.
• Esophageal cancer. More common in men, this is a form of cancer that makes it difficult to swallow and causes chest pain or heartburn.
• Bladder cancer. Blood in the urine or painful urination may be symptoms of Zantac bladder cancer, but if detected early, the chances of successful treatment are high.
• Liver cancer. The use of Zantac increases the risk of liver cancer.
• Prostate cancer. This is a form of cancer that is slow-growing and often leads to erectile dysfunction or painful urination, or both.
• Pancreatic cancer. This is a form of cancer that is often deadly because it is not detected or diagnosed until when it is too late.

Taking Care of Zantac Cancer

Getting treatment for the various cancers that can be linked to Zantac can be costly. These costs include some of the following:

1. Visits to doctor’s office and these are usually specialists
2. Diagnosis and mapping treatment procedures
3. Hospitalization in more serious cases
4. Laboratory and imaging tests
5. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or surgery
6. Physical therapy and rehabilitation
7. Prescription drugs
8. Transportation and related costs

How a Zantac Lawyer Can Help You

Pursuing a Zantac case is no cakewalk but, an experienced lawyer at Malman Law can help you make a strong case by doing several things for you, including the following:

1. Confirming your eligibility to file a Zantac lawsuit
2. Calculating what your estimated total damages would be
3. Negotiating for you to obtain a fair settlement from Zantac
4. Preparing you for trial if no settlement is reached

Call a Chicago Zantac Lawyer Today

If you took Zantac and know or are concerned that you may be exposed to the drug’s cancerous effect, then talking to a Chicago Zantac lawyer is strongly recommended to learn what your rights and options are. Contact Malman Law today.