Can You Get Liver Cancer From Taking Zantac?

If you've been diagnosed with liver cancer and have regularly taken Zantac in the past, you could have a case for a Zantac liver cancer lawsuit. With the recent news that Zantac has been pulled from pharmacy shelves due to the presence of probable cancer-causing chemical NDMA, many former Zantac users are concerned that their cancer diagnoses could be due to their use of the heartburn medication. Our experienced defective drug lawyers are currently helping Zantac users with cancer take legal action against the manufacturers of Zantac.

Liver Cancer Symptoms

Signs and symptoms usually don't show until the later stages of primary liver cancer. Some signs and symptoms that may arise include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and nausea
• Pain in the upper abdominal area
• Swelling in the abdominal area
• Feeling generally weak and fatigued
• Chalky, white stools
• Jaundice - a yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes

What Are The Risk Factors of Liver Cancer?

While there are several factors that can increase the risk of liver cancer, the cause is sometimes unknown. Some risk factors for liver cancer include:

• Excessive drinking - Drinking a large amount of alcohol on a daily basis over several years can cause irreversible liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer.
• Cirrhosis - Often caused by excessive drinking, cirrhosis is a progressive and irreversible liver condition that increases the risk of a liver cancer diagnosis.
• Chronic infection of HBV or HCV - People with chronic infections of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer.
• Inherited liver diseases - Some types of liver diseases increase the risk of liver cancer, including hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease.
• Diabetes - Diabetics have a higher risk of liver cancer compared to non-diabetics.
• Exposure to aflatoxins - These poisons are produced by molds growing on poorly-stored crops and can end up in foods.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - This disease involving an accumulation of fat on the liver increases the risk of liver cancer.

Can Zantac cause liver cancer? While these links are still being studied, the recent recall of the medication by the FDA and multiple studies on the subject suggest that Zantac could increase the risk of developing liver cancer.

Should I Talk to a Lawyer if I Have Liver Cancer and Have Taken Zantac?

If you or a loved one has developed liver cancer after regular Zantac use in the past, you may be wondering about your family's legal rights. At least one person has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Zantac for liver cancer - a Kentucky woman named Vicki Sherbert.

Drug manufacturers and all other types of product manufacturers have a legal duty to make sure their products are safe before they're sold to customers. If a drug company releases a drug with a risk of causing cancer and fails to warn customers, that company could be held liable in a defective drug lawsuit.

You can learn more about your legal rights as a Zantac user with cancer in a free consultation with one of our experienced defective drug lawyers.