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A Vancouver man has filed a Zantac cancer class action lawsuit alleging some ranitidine-containing medications sold in Canada contain a potentially cancer-causing impurity.
Ranitidine is the active ingredient in medications that treat stomach problems, ulcers, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
In Canada, ranitidine is sold under the brand name Zantac, though generic versions of the drug are also available. It is sold as an over-the-counter drug or by prescription.
In September 2019, Health Canada announced that it was investigating a potential N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) impurity in some ranitidine drugs.
Shortly after this announcement, several drug manufacturers issued recalls of ranitidine medications due to the presence of NDMA. These drug manufacturers, which are named as defendants in the Zantac class action lawsuit, include Sandoz Canada Inc., Apotex Inc., Pro Doc Limitée, Sanis Health Inc., and Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC.
Plaintiff Gary Dussiaume says he had a prescription for ranitidine and took the medication from 2018 until Sept. 26, 2019 when his family doctor reportedly switched his medication. He had previously taken prescription and over-the-counter ranitidine medication on and off for a number of years, the Zantac cancer class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff notes that NDMA was not listed as a component of the ranitidine medication and cancer was not mentioned as a potential risk to consumers. Now Dussiaume says he’s experiencing prolonged and serious mental distress along with an increased risk of developing cancer due to potential long-term exposure to NDMA.
Dussiaume would not have ingested the ranitidine medication if he had known that he would also be consuming carcinogens, according to the Zantac cancer class action lawsuit.
He filed the Zantac class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and a proposed Class of Canadians who ingested, purchased, and/or were prescribed ranitidine that was contaminated with NDMA.
More than a dozen companies, including manufacturers, merchants and distributors of ranitidine-containing medications are named as defendants in the Zantac cancer class action lawsuit.
Dussiaume accuses the defendants of putting the ranitidine medications on the market even though they should have known that the drugs posed an unreasonable risk of harming consumers.
The defendants also failed to issue a timely recall of the affected drugs when they knew about the potential Zantac cancer risks, Dussiaume alleges. He suggests the companies failed to implement appropriate quality control testing to ensure the medication was safe for consumption.
The Zantac class action lawsuit asserts claims for negligence, failure to warn, unjust enrichment, waiver of tort, battery, and other violations of Canada law.
A similar Zantac cancer class action lawsuit was filed last month in Quebec.
Canada is not the only country that’s faced with NDMA-contaminated Zantac. Several Zantac recalls have been issued in the United States over concerns of NDMA contamination and consumers are filing Zantac cancer lawsuits against the drug manufacturers and distributors. Plaintiffs are alleging they developed stomach cancer or bladder cancer after ingesting Zantac.
Have you taken Zantac over the years? Let us know in the comments below.
Dussiaume is represented by Charney Lawyers PC and Rice Harbut Elliott LLP.
The Canadian Zantac Cancer Class Action Lawsuit is Gary Dussiaume v. Sandoz Canada Inc., et al., Case No. S1911469, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada.
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109 thoughts onCanadian Files Zantac Class Action Alleging Cancer Risk
I took Zantac off on for years and now have pancreatic cancer
For nearly 20 years I took Ranitidine daily. A few times after a major flare up I was switched to another brand but after a month or two was back on Ranitidine. Doctors used to say they all cause cancer but Ranitidine has a different makeup and is safe. Now I’m on Pantoprazole since the recall. I’m 74 and haven’t shown any signs of Cancer yet! I now suffer from anxiety worrying about when the big C will get me.
Took generic Zantac for the past 10 years and always had 1 or 2 bottles within reach. The last few I’ve had bladder issues & I can only assume it’s related to this. Looking for more info please
I took Zantac 150mg 2-3 times a day for over a year. I developed gallstones and had to have my gallbladder removed. For the past two years and a half years I have experienced severe stomach pain. I’ve had every test imaginable and the latest diagnosis is Biliary Dyskinesia. I am certain all my problems are caused by Zantac as I took no other drugs for heartburn during this period.
I have taken Zantac prescription for many many years then was switched to generic ranitidine by my provider as it was cheaper. I am 55 and started taking stomach meds at 20 so far back unsure if I was always on Zantac from the start. Have heard nothing more in media about any lawsuits. Suddenly mysteriously quiet. Would like to know of any updates. Very concerned.
Started taking otc Zantac late 2003, and stopped using it when it was recalled in Canada. Diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer April 2020 ar the age of 50.
Makes me wonder if they have shaved off 25 -30 yrs of my life. All for profit
Just found out today that Zantac is no longer being manufactured for the first time. Still have some from 2019 !
Purchased Pepcid Ac to help relieve my heartburn that has suddenly reared it ugly head again for three straight days. I’m hoping this stuff will work for me !
Suffer from stomach acid and acid reflux. Found that Zantac worked and took a tablet every night for the last 25 years. Haven’t been diagnosed of any of the elements from taking this drug yet I haven’t gone to the Doctors to get checked out. Now I’m fear that something is wrong..
Blood Cancer CLL Leukemia has anyone herd of any research being done or has anyone else have blood / marrow CLL
I was prescribed Ranitidine in the mid-90’s for per stent heartburn. After several years, I reverted to OTC Zantac, as the cost of the prescription was causing me economic hardship, not having extended healthcare coverage.
I continued with OTC products, Zantac and equivalent generics continuously until the removal of the OTC products. Since, I have substituted alternatives – Pepcid being the closest performing drug (albeit not as effective).
This is the first I’ve heard of a class-action suit. I have been worried – my father died of stomach cancer. Is the suit still open for participation?