Zantac Generic Drugmakers Out of Consolidated Cancer Lawsuits

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Par Pharmaceutical Inc., and other makers of once widely used generic “Zantac” antacids are now free from litigation alleging their products contained unsafe levels of a cancer-causing compound, a Florida federal court said.

Federal law preempts the plaintiffs’ claims, according to a Thursday order by Judge Robin L. Rosenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Plaintiffs allege ranitidine, the active ingredient in the name-brand antacid Zantac and its generic equivalents, is unstable and breaks down into NDMA, a probable human carcinogen.

About 1,400 plaintiffs have filed personal injury ...