Update on Zantac Litigation and Settlements

Keller Postman has been a dedicated advocate for Zantac users and their families since 2019. We understand that this journey has been long and complex, and we want to provide clarity and updates about the progress of these cases.

From 2019 to 2022, we fought tirelessly on behalf of Zantac users in federal court. Unfortunately, in 2022, a federal judge excluded critical scientific testimony from the litigation, leading to the dismissal of federal claims. However, our commitment to our clients did not end there.

Since the federal dismissal, we have been pursuing Zantac claims in state courts across the country. Every day, we push these cases closer to resolution, working to secure justice and compensation for our clients.

Companies Held Accountable 

We believe that several companies may be responsible for injuries caused by Zantac, including:

  • GlaxoSmithKline LLC
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Sanofi SA
  • Other smaller companies involved in the production or patenting of Zantac and its generic versions.

Settlement Updates

Earlier this year, Keller Postman, along with other law firms, negotiated a settlement agreement with Pfizer. For qualified Keller Postman clients, the settlement period will end on December 22, 2024. We are also in the process of finalizing agreements with additional companies. Once these deals are finalized, we will send notices to the clients included in these settlements.

Important Information for Clients

If you signed up with Keller Postman for a Zantac case, it is crucial to monitor your communications for updates. We will contact you using the following:

Email:

Phone:

  • 312-776-2914
  • 833-633-0118

Failure to respond to our outreach may result in a permanent loss of compensation. If you receive a communication from us, please respond promptly to ensure your rights are protected.

Building Trust and Authority

At Keller Postman, we take our responsibility to our clients seriously. With years of experience and proven success in mass tort litigation, we are committed to delivering results for Zantac users and their families. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us through the contact information above. We are here to guide you every step of the way.

The Discovery of Zantac’s Link to Cancer

In late 2019, public watchdogs at Valisure discovered that ranitidine (branded as “Zantac”) degrades into the cancer-causing compound NDMA. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked all manufacturers to withdraw ranitidine products from the market after finding extremely high levels of the carcinogen nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the ingredients of ranitidine medications—commonly known by the brand name Zantac.

The FDA confirmed that ranitidine contains unacceptable levels of NDMA and that the amount of NDMA increases when the medication is exposed to higher temperatures. Plus, more NDMA will form the longer that ranitidine is stored before it is consumed.

NDMA is also a chemical commonly used to cause cancer in lab rats and as an ingredient in rocket fuel. Despite the evidence of NDMA’s toxicity, drug manufacturers were aware of the risk but said nothing.

Before Zantac was pulled from the shelves, the medication was one of the most popular over-the-counter products used to treat heartburn and acid reflux, consumed regularly by hundreds of thousands of people.

Our Team

Meet the attorneys leading the Zantac litigation.

Ashley Keller
Senior Partner
Nicole Berg
Partner
J.J. Snidow
Partner
Ben Whiting
Partner
Noah Heinz
Associate
Chris Livas
Associate
Michelle Lukic
Associate
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Working with Keller Postman

We understand the harm you may have experienced and the seriousness of your claims, and we are committed to providing exceptional representation on your behalf.

Unmatched Attorney Team

We are home to one of the most exceptional team of attorneys in the United States. Our lawyers have trained at the top law schools, worked at the highest levels of government, and continually win awards for their outstanding achievements.

Track Record of Success

We have secured meaningful recoveries for more than 500,000 clients in the last three years alone. We act for clients who deserve to win, and we do everything we can to ensure that they do.

Best Client Service

We make things easy for you. We’ll gather the evidence you need with the lowest burden on you. And with a large client base, we have efficiencies to reduce costs, and leverage to pursue the best outcomes we can for our clients.

Strength to Win

Our team has the skills and resources to go head-to-head with the largest, most well-resourced corporations in the country. Plus, our lawyers have experience on both sides of the courtroom, allowing us the unique ability to anticipate our opponents’ moves.

FAQs

What is Zantac?

Zantac (generic name ranitidine) is a medication primarily used to treat heartburn. It is known as a histamine-2 blocker, which reduces the amount of stomach acid. For years, doctors would recommend Zantac to treat heartburn or other conditions that may cause an overproduction of stomach acid.

Today, Zantac and all forms of ranitidine have been recalled after the FDA discovered the presence of NDMA (a probable human carcinogen) within the drug.

N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a “semivolatile organic chemical that forms in both industrial and natural processes,” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is considered a contaminant and has been used in production of liquid rocket fuel, antioxidants, additives for lubricants, and softeners for copolymers.

NDMA can cause serious medical concerns. For example, in a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , test animals developed lung cancer, liver cancer, liver damage/failure, and even internal bleeding after ingesting NDMA in their food, water, or through the air.

Valisure is an independent company that checks the chemical makeup of drugs before shipping them to consumers. In 2019, they discovered NDMA in batches of Zantac and informed the FDA. The FDA then launched its own investigation, confirming the findings of another pharmacy called Emery Pharma and requesting the removal of all ranitidine products from the U.S. market in April 2020.

The FDA found that “the impurity in some ranitidine products increases over time and when stored at higher than room temperatures and may result in consumer exposure to unacceptable levels of this impurity.”

The potential cancers that may be caused by Zantac and ranitidine use include:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Gastric/stomach cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Prostate cancer

Note that this is not an exhaustive list, but includes the most common forms of cancers that have a probable link to Zantac or ranitidine usage.

We unfortunately cannot predict with any certainty how long it will take for cases to resolve, as litigation is unpredictable. There is no way to know just yet. But we will keep this page updated and also ensure that our clients are notified with any key developments.

Unfortunately, the compensation that plaintiffs will receive is currently unknown and difficult to forecast. However, as soon as we can predict the compensation that victims will receive, we will share an update here.

Resources

Valisure Detects NDMA in Ranitidine: In a press release issued by Valisure on September 13, 2019, the company announced that it “discovered the link of Zantac and its generics to the carcinogen NDMA during its routine testing of every batch of every medication, and first notified the FDA of its initial findings in June of 2019.” They also filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration, requesting that the agency recall all products containing ranitidine. Laboratory Tests for Ranitidine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: After the initial discovery of NDMA in Zantac and ranitidine products, the FDA continued to investigate the presence of the toxic substance. The acceptable daily intake limit for NDMA is ~.096 micrograms. They found that Zantac contains ~.36 micrograms of NDMA per tablet. FDA Requests Removal of All Ranitidine Products (Zantac) from the Market: In a press release issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 1, 2020, they announced that they requested that manufacturers “withdraw all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine drugs from the market immediately. This is the latest step in an ongoing investigation of a contaminant known as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine medications (commonly known by the brand name Zantac).” About N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA): Learn more about the makeup and effects of NDMA in this informational guide by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Register.

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