Zantac / Ranitidine Cancer Claims

On April 1, 2020, FDA asked companies to pull all ranitidine products, including Zantac, from the U.S. market. FDA found that NDMA, a probable human carcinogen, can build up in ranitidine over time and with heat1. The heartburn medicine sold today as "Zantac 360" contains a different drug, famotidine2. The federal Zantac litigation went against plaintiffs on its main cancer claims, so a Zantac lawyer has to look closely at where and when a claim could still be brought.

Why ranitidine was pulled from the market

Ranitidine is an H2 blocker that lowers stomach acid. It was sold by prescription and over the counter as Zantac and as generic ranitidine. In April 2020 FDA requested the removal of all ranitidine products1. FDA said:

• NDMA levels in ranitidine increase even under normal storage conditions1
• NDMA increased significantly in samples stored at higher temperatures1
• The older the product, the higher the NDMA level could be1
• FDA's testing did not find NDMA in famotidine (Pepcid) and several other heartburn drugs it tested1

A withdrawal is a regulatory step. It does not by itself prove that ranitidine caused any person's cancer.

Zantac 360 is a different drug

Products sold under the name "Zantac 360" contain famotidine, not ranitidine2. The cancer claims are about ranitidine taken before the 2020 withdrawal. If you only took Zantac 360, the ranitidine claims do not apply.

Where the Zantac litigation stands

Federal ranitidine cases were coordinated in the Southern District of Florida before Judge Robin L. Rosenberg as MDL No. 2924, formed Feb. 6, 20203. On May 15, 2023, the court entered summary judgment for every defendant in all personal injury cases about the five "designated cancers" filed before May 5, 2023, following its ruling on the general causation evidence4. Earlier judgments were appealed to the Eleventh Circuit4.

The five designated cancers in the federal MDL

Cancers

Bladder, esophageal, pancreatic, stomach and liver4

Federal result

Summary judgment for the defendants in cases filed before May 5, 20234

Cases still pending

806 as of Nov. 2, 2026, out of 15,018 filed5

Other cancers were handled under separate orders in the MDL.

Many ranitidine cases were filed in state courts instead, and state courts apply their own rules on expert evidence. Because the law here is unsettled and fact-specific, a Zantac attorney needs to look at your state, your cancer type and your dates before saying whether a claim can go forward.

Who may have a Zantac claim

• You took ranitidine (brand or generic) before April 2020, and for how long
• Prescription or over-the-counter use, and where you bought it
• The type of cancer and the date of diagnosis
• Other cancer risks, such as smoking
• Whether you already filed a claim or signed a release

Proof of over-the-counter use can be harder to find. Store loyalty records, receipts and doctors' notes can help. You do not need every record before contacting us.

Who may be responsible

An investigation may look at the companies that made, sold and stored ranitidine during the years you took it. The federal court addressed brand makers, generic makers, distributors and retailers in different rulings4.

Filing deadlines for Zantac lawsuits

Deadlines depend on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. Examples:

• Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death6.
• California: two years for injury to or death of a person caused by another's wrongful act or neglect7.
• New York: three years for personal injury8, with a separate rule that runs from discovery for injuries caused by the latent effects of exposure to a substance in the body9.
• Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death10, and most product liability claims must be brought within 15 years of the product's sale, with an exception for certain latent diseases11.

When the clock starts can depend on when a person knew, or should have known, about the injury and its possible link to the medicine. Rules for children, wrongful death and claims against public hospitals can differ. Ask a Zantac attorney to check the rules for your state early, before records are lost.

Tell Us Your Story →

Records that help a Zantac review

Records worth gathering

Use

• Pharmacy printouts
• Store loyalty or receipt records
• Doctor notes listing ranitidine

Diagnosis

• Pathology report
• Oncology notes
• Imaging

History

• Smoking history
• Family history
• Any prior claim papers

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a review works

1. Tell us what happened

   Share what you remember about your ranitidine use and your diagnosis. You do not need every record first.

2. We check the forum

   We look at which courts and rules could apply to your cancer and your dates.

3. We gather records

   With your permission, we request pharmacy, medical and billing records from the places that treated you.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.

The federal Zantac rulings went against plaintiffs on the main cancers. Whether a claim can still be brought depends on the facts and the court.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Terms you may see in a Zantac case.

Drug terms

Ranitidine

An H2 blocker sold as Zantac before 2020.

Famotidine

A different H2 blocker, sold as Pepcid and as Zantac 3602.

NDMA

A probable human carcinogen found in ranitidine1.

Legal terms

Summary judgment

A ruling that ends a case without a trial because the evidence is not enough to go forward.

General causation

Whether a substance can cause a disease at all.

Designated cancers

The five cancers the federal MDL focused on4.

Care and coverage

Pathology report

The lab report that names the cancer type.

Oncologist

A cancer doctor.

Questions

Zantac lawsuit questions

Short answers to the questions people ask first.

Is the Zantac lawsuit over?

Not entirely. The federal court ruled for the defendants on the five main cancers, but some cases remain and state courts apply their own rules. A Zantac lawyer can check your situation.

Is Zantac 360 part of the lawsuits?

No. Zantac 360 contains famotidine. The claims are about ranitidine.

Why was Zantac recalled?

FDA found NDMA could build up in ranitidine over time and with heat, and requested its removal in April 2020.

What cancers are involved?

The federal MDL focused on bladder, esophageal, pancreatic, stomach and liver cancer.

I bought Zantac over the counter. Can I prove it?

Sometimes, through store records, receipts or doctors' notes. A Zantac attorney can help look.

Did taking Zantac mean I will get cancer?

No. A withdrawal and a cancer diagnosis do not by themselves show the drug caused it.

How long do I have to file a Zantac lawsuit?

It depends on your state and on when you learned of the cancer and its possible link to ranitidine.

Is this the same as the PPI lawsuit?

No. PPI claims involve different drugs and kidney injuries.

Should I keep old Zantac packages?

Keep any packaging you already have, but do not take or use old ranitidine.

What does it cost to contact CBW Law?

Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story

If you took ranitidine for years and were later diagnosed with cancer, a Zantac attorney can tell you what the court rulings mean for you.

Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about ranitidine (Zantac) claims. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. FDA's withdrawal request does not by itself establish that ranitidine caused any person's cancer, and federal rulings have gone against plaintiffs on the main cancer claims. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.