Zantac Lawsuits: Two Settle in Cook County, One Dropped, Thousands Remain

Three lawsuits alleging the heartburn drug Zantac causes cancer have recently concluded in Cook County, Illinois. Two Illinois residents reached confidential settlements with the pharmaceutical company GSK, while another person dropped their case in early June, the Chicago Sun Time reports.

All three plaintiffs claimed that their respective cancers were directly linked to prolonged use of Zantac. Their suits joined thousands of similar cases filed nationwide against GSK, which manufactured and marketed the drug.

Two Zantac Cancer Lawsuits Reach Settlement, While Another Case is Dropped

GSK maintains Zantac's safety and efficacy, citing 16 epidemiological studies that found no consistent or reliable evidence linking ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac, to an increased risk of any cancer. 

In a statement, the company asserted, "Following the 16 epidemiological studies looking at human data regarding the use of ranitidine, the scientific consensus is that there is no consistent or reliable evidence that ranitidine increases the risk of any cancer."  

Despite the settlements, GSK admitted no liability and reaffirmed its commitment to vigorously defending itself against the ongoing litigation. The company stated, "GSK will continue to vigorously defend itself and manage this litigation in the best interests of the company and shareholders."

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FDA Recall and Ongoing Litigation Over NDMA Contamination in Zantac

Central to the plaintiffs' claims, including those in the settled cases, is the assertion that Zantac's active ingredient, ranitidine, degrades into NDMA, a potentially cancer-causing substance. This allegation gained traction in 2020 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a recall of Zantac and its generics due to the discovery of NDMA in samples of the drug.

Following the recall, thousands of lawsuits were filed in federal and state courts. While the FDA later determined that Zantac posed no immediate danger to patients, the drug remains off the market.

A different version of the heartburn medicine, called Zantac 360, is currently sold, but it does not contain ranitidine, the active ingredient linked to NDMA concerns. This has left many former Zantac users seeking legal recourse for potential health complications related to their use of the original drug.

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Notably, the first jury trial to determine if Zantac causes cancer took place in Cook County in May. An 89-year-old woman sued GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim, another drugmaker that sold Zantac, alleging that taking the drug for 18 years caused her colon cancer. However, the jury determined the drug was not the cause of her cancer and found neither company liable. The woman had sought $640 million in damages.

Recent Court Rulings Offer Hope for Plaintiffs in Zantac Cancer Lawsuits

Earlier this month, a Delaware Superior Court judge rejected the drugmakers' appeal to dismiss over 70,000 lawsuits alleging that Zantac, a popular heartburn medication, caused cancer in users. The decision allows the lawsuits to proceed, potentially leading to trials and compensation for victims.

In May, Pfizer, who also sold the heartburn medication, agreed to settle over 10,000 Zantac cancer lawsuits for an undisclosed amount.

Meanwhile, last week a federal appeals court ruling marked another potential turning point for plaintiffs who have faced numerous dismissals in federal courts. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that nine lawsuits against Zantac manufacturers, involving over 850 plaintiffs who developed cancer after using the recalled heartburn drug, should be returned to Connecticut state court.

This decision reverses a previous trend of dismissals in federal courts and offers renewed hope for cancer patients seeking compensation. The pharmaceutical industry, which has been pushing for federal jurisdiction, is expected to appeal the ruling.

If you or someone you care about has taken Zantac and subsequently developed cancer or tragically passed away, you might be eligible for compensation. Seeking advice from a legal professional who is knowledgeable about the ongoing litigation against Zantac manufacturers could provide you with the necessary guidance to pursue a claim.

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