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Zantac Lawsuit

Zantac Lawsuit

Background

Zantac, also known as ranitidine, was a widely used drug for heartburn and ulcers. The FDA later found that ranitidine could form NDMA. NDMA is a carcinogen linked to bladder, stomach, liver, and other cancers. The FDA ordered a full recall of ranitidine products in April 2020.

Defendants

The lawsuits name major drug companies. Defendants include:

  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

  • Sanofi

  • Pfizer

  • Boehringer Ingelheim

  • Patheon Manufacturing Services

Each defendant is accused of failing to warn about the risks of NDMA contamination.

Allegations

Plaintiffs allege the following:

  • Zantac’s design was defective because ranitidine is unstable.

  • The drug degrades into NDMA under normal conditions.

  • Companies knew or should have known of this risk.

  • Warnings were not provided to doctors, patients, or regulators.

  • Profits were placed above public safety.

Plaintiff Stories

VB, a widow, lost her husband to stomach cancer after daily Zantac use. He suffered severe weight loss and pain until his death.

Joseph Galimidi from Florida developed rare male breast cancer. He claimed Zantac caused his illness.

Mark Allan Blake from Colorado used Zantac for decades. He developed bladder cancer in 2018. He accused the drugmakers of ignoring studies on NDMA since the 1980s.

Many veterans also received Zantac through the VA. They later developed cancer and joined the lawsuits.

Settlements

  • GSK agreed to pay up to $2.2 billion to settle about 80,000 cases.

  • Sanofi paid $100 million in April 2024 to settle 4,000 cases.

  • Sanofi later paid $200–250 million in May 2024 for more than 10,000 cases.

  • GSK also paid $67.5 million in a federal False Claims Act case in 2025.

Settlement payouts vary. Factors include the type of cancer, length of use, proof of purchase, and impact on quality of life.

Court Rulings

  • Delaware Supreme Court (July 2025): Excluded expert testimony in nearly 75,000 cases. The court ruled that plaintiffs failed to meet strict evidentiary standards.

  • Florida Federal Court (2022): Dismissed 50,000 cases based on similar findings.

  • Illinois Trials: Juries rejected prostate cancer claims.

  • California Trials: Plaintiffs reached confidential settlements in bladder cancer cases.

Current Status

As of August 2025:

  • About 72,000 cases remain in Delaware.

  • Around 2,422 cases remain in the Florida MDL.

  • Additional cases are active in California, Illinois, and Connecticut.

Relief Sought

Plaintiffs seek compensation for:

  • Past and future medical costs

  • Lost income

  • Pain and suffering

  • Punitive damages against the defendants

Conclusion

The Zantac lawsuits continue across multiple states. Some companies have settled, but thousands of claims remain. Plaintiffs argue that Zantac caused their cancer and that drugmakers failed in their duty to protect public health. The litigation is ongoing, and future rulings will decide how much accountability falls on the defendants.

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