Colo. Man Sues Zantac Makers, Says Heartburn Drug Caused Bladder Cancer

DENVER — In a new lawsuit, a Colorado man contends his long-term ingestion of Zantac (ranitidine) caused him to develop bladder cancer because the antacid drug contains “staggering amounts” of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable carcinogen.

Plaintiff Mark Blake filed the complaint on Oct. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against Zantac makers Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Sanofi US Services Inc., Chattem Inc., Pfizer Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline LLC.

Zantac, a histamine-2 blocker, is approved to prevent and relieve heartburn associated with acid ingestion and sour stomach. GSK developed the drug in 1983, and it was approved …