Zantac FAQs: Cancer Risk and Lawsuits

In April 2020 the FDA issued an urgent warning that Zantac may cause cancer due to potential NDMA contamination.

Since then, patients have scrambled to learn more about Zantac cancer risk, find Zantac alternatives and even file Zantac lawsuits for cancers potentially caused by the contaminated drug.

Our drug injury lawyers are actively investigating cancer claims against Zantac and have compiled the following Zantac FAQs and resources for those affected by the FDA warning and recall:

Zantac FAQs

Does Zantac cause cancer?

Here’s what we know: the FDA has found NDMA contamination in Zantac and ranitidine medications, and NDMA is a known cancer-causing chemical. Based on the potential Zantac cancer risk, the FDA has ordered manufacturers to stop selling Zantac and generic ranitidine (both prescription and over-the-counter forms), and also advised patients to speak with their doctor immediately and consider Zantac alternatives.

Potential cancers that may be caused by NDMA-contaminated Zantac and ranitidine include:

• Bladder cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Intestinal cancer (including colorectal and small intestine cancers)
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Brain cancer
• Nasal cancer
• Throat cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Lung cancer (if you’ve never smoked)
• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma

For more information about Zantac cancer risk, please check out our article, “Does Zantac cause cancer?”

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, the federal MDL has limited the Zantac claims we can accept to bladder, esophageal, stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers only. We understand that other cancers may be linked, but we are unfortunately unable to assist with these claims at this time due to evidence and recent court rulings.

Is there a Zantac recall?

Yes. The FDA has recalled Zantac and generic ranitidine in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) forms.

For more information on the recall and FDA warning, please visit the FDA’s Zantac warning page.

“Should I stop taking Zantac?”

The FDA advises that those taking prescription Zantac or generic ranitidine speak with their prescribing physician immediately about the cancer risks and potential Zantac alternatives.

The FDA also advises those taking over-the-counter forms of Zantac and ranitidine to stop taking these medications immediately and seek out alternatives.

IMPORTANT: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA advises consumers and patients not to take unused Zantac or ranitidine medication to medication return centers. Instead, please read the medication label or prescription packet for at-home disposal instructions.

What is NDMA?

The FDA has cautioned consumers, patients and doctors that NDMA contamination has been found in Zantac and generic ranitidine medications. NDMA is a volatile chemical that exists in trace amounts in many foods and water, but can cause cancer in elevated concentrations.

Independent labs and the FDA have confirmed that levels of NDMA contamination in Zantac blood pressure medication and generic ranitidine were “unacceptable.”

“Can I file a Zantac lawsuit?”

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.

If you have taken brand-name Zantac and been diagnosed with cancer, NDMA contamination may be responsible and you may have a claim for compensation.

You may qualify for a Zantac lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:

• Used brand-name Zantac only
• Suffered from at least one of the following cancers:
  • Bladder cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
• Must have used brand-name Zantac after October 1984
• Must have used brand-name Zantac for a minimum of one year
• Must have used brand-name Zantac once per week for a minimum of six months
• Must have been diagnosed with a qualifying cancer within 20 years of last dose
• Must not have been a smoker in the past 20 years if diagnosed with lung cancer
• Must be 64 years of age or younger at the time of diagnosis if diagnosed with prostate cancer

Certain other criteria may apply. For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Zantac lawsuit attorney, please call 1-800-525-7111.

IMPORTANT: A federal judge recently ruled against lawsuits concerning generic Zantac. At this point, we can only accept cases concerning use of brand-name Zantac OR “mixed” use of brand-name Zantac and generic equivalents.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, the federal MDL has limited the Zantac claims we can accept to bladder, esophageal, stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancers only. We understand that other cancers may be linked, but we are unfortunately unable to assist with these claims at this time due to evidence and recent court rulings.

Learn more about eligibility criteria for Zantac cancer lawsuits. 

Who is liable for Zantac-related cancers?

Many are wondering: “Who is liable for Zantac-related cancer?” Reports indicate that Zantac and ranitidine manufacturers may have been aware of potential cancer risks associated with possible NDMA in ranitidine since the 1980s.  If this is the case, Zantac cancer lawyers will seek to hold these manufacturers accountable for potential negligence.

Potential defendants in Zantac cancer lawsuits include:

• Sanofi (manufacturer of brand-name Zantac)
• Novartis
• GlaxoSmithKline
• other manufacturers of generic ranitidine (Zantac equivalents)

Legal analysts anticipate that thousands of Zantac cancer lawsuits will be filed, and potentially may be worth several billion dollars.

What is the status of Zantac lawsuits right now?

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.

In February 2020, a federal judiciary panel sent more than 100 Zantac lawsuits to the Southern District of Florida to be consolidated into Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

In supporting its decision, the U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation wrote that the allegations against Zantac “could be a large litigation.”

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac are encouraged to speak with a Zantac lawsuit attorney about their potential claim.

Have you been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac?

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent developments in the litigation, our firm is no longer accepting Zantac claims. Please stay tuned to our website for the latest information and updates.

If you have taken brand-name Zantac and been diagnosed with cancer, NDMA contamination may be responsible and you may have a claim against the manufacturer. You may be eligible for significant financial compensation.

For a FREE consultation with an experienced Zantac lawsuit lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.

There is no obligation and you won’t pay any upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive financial compensation.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your case.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer potentially as a result of using Zantac deserve justice and we would love to help however we can.

The drug injury lawyers at Riddle & Brantley have been helping to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable since 1985. Our attorneys have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we have secured many five, six and even seven-figure settlements and verdicts on behalf of deserving clients (see disclaimer below).

Riddle & Brantley was founded by Gene Riddle, an attorney who continues to lead the firm and practice law on behalf of injured victims. Attorney Riddle has been recognized as a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyers. In 2014 he received the Litigator Award, and he maintains a prestigious AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell (see disclaimer below).

We believe Justice Counts for victims of potential negligence, and we would love to help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries if we can.

“This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.”

-Linda B., Riddle & Brantley client

Please call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free, no-obligation consultation and case review.

***Disclaimer: No settlement agreement has been reached in any litigation regarding ranitidine (ZANTAC®), including in the Multidistrict Litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (case no. 20-MD-2924). 

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and the Litigator Award, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.