Have you taken Zantac for indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

When ingested, this gastrointestinal medication produces N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a carcinogen, at dangerous levels that far exceed FDA allowed limits. Big Pharma knew. Fill out the form to find out your rights »

Case Status
Active
Practice Areas
Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Case Number
19-cv-05772
Defendant(S)
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
Sanofi US Services Inc.
Chattem, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
File Date

Hagens Berman has filed a class-action lawsuit against drug manufacturers Sanofi and Boehringer Ingelheim for knowingly manufacturing and selling an over-the-counter drug that they knew was unsafe to millions of people in the U.S. suffering from heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues.

DRUG TOXICITY EXPLAINED

Zantac contains the active ingredient ranitidine. When ingested, ranitidine metabolizes into N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) which the FDA, the EPA, and the World Health Organization classify as a probable carcinogen. The FDA has established a permissible intake limit of 96 ng of NDMA per day, but recent testing using FDA-approved methods had detected more than 2,500,000 ng of NDMA per 150 mg tablet of Zantac. In other words, each Zantac tablet contains 26,000 times the amount of NDMA that can be safely ingested.

WHAT SANOFI AND BOEHRINGER KNEW

During the period that Sanofi (2017 to present) and Boehringer (2006 to 2017) manufactured and sold Zantac, numerous scientific studies were published showing, among other things, that ranitidine—the active ingredient in Zantac—forms NDMA when placed in drinking water and that a person who consumes the drug has a 400‑fold increase of NDMA concentration in their urine.

Despite the accumulating scientific evidence showing that Zantac exposed users to extremely high levels of NDMA, neither Sanofi nor Boehringer disclosed this risk to consumers on the drug’s label—or through any other means.

YOUR RIGHTS

Hagens Berman believes action must be taken for the millions of people who were unknowingly subjected to dangerous levels of NDMA through ingestion of Zantac. The lawsuit seeks to represent anyone in the U.S. who has previously purchased the over‑the‑counter version of the drug Zantac.

Defendants’ failure to disclose this material information to consumers violates state consumer‑protection laws and defendants’ implied warranties. The firm seeks full refunds for persons who purchased Zantac, as well as punitive and statutory damages, and all other relief that consumers are entitled to under the law.

TOP PLAINTIFFS' RIGHTS FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful litigation law firms in the U.S. and has achieved more than $320 billion in settlements against Big Pharma, tobacco companies, automakers, big banks and others. Your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in consumer and pharmaceutical law.

NO COST TO YOU

There is no cost or fee whatsoever involved in joining this action. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the legal team for the class. In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum.

If you have concerns about any potential adverse health risks associated with Zantac (or generic ranitidine consumption), Hagens Berman recommends that you discuss the allegations in this lawsuit with your physician.

Case Timeline
Title
International Ranitidine Investigations
Description

Multiple health regulation groups are now investigating levels of the carcingenic chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac/Ranitidine.

09/13/19 FDA Statement »
09/13/19 Health Canada Statement »
09/13/19 European Medicines Agency Statement »

Date

CASE TIMELINE

International Ranitidine Investigations

Multiple health regulation groups are now investigating levels of the carcingenic chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac/Ranitidine.

09/13/19 FDA Statement »
09/13/19 Health Canada Statement »
09/13/19 European Medicines Agency Statement »

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