Which Medications Can Cause Cancer?

Several medications have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. If a prescription or over-the-counter medication is to blame for your (or your loved one’s) cancer diagnosis, you may have a claim against the manufacturer. In this scenario, talking to an experienced dangerous drug lawyer is the first step toward seeking accountability.  

When you take a medication for its intended purpose, you expect the medication to help treat your condition or assist with your recovery. You do not expect it to cause harm—much less to cause cancer.

Yet, this is a very real concern. Various medications have been linked to increased cancer risks, and several of these medications have recently been (or are currently) the subject of mass tort litigation in the United States.

What Types of Medications Have Been Linked to Increased Cancer Risks?

The list of medications that have been linked to increased cancer risks is alarmingly long. With that said, some of these links are stronger than others—and, as a patient or family member, it is important not to rush to judgment. If you have concerns, you should consult with a qualified health professional to ensure that you are making informed decisions based on the most recent science that is available.

Keeping this in mind, various medications in the following categories have been linked to increased cancer risks in recent years:

Anabolic Steroids

Long-term and high-dose use of anabolic steroids has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, prostate cancer, and other hormone-related cancers. Extensive use of anabolic steroids has been linked to several other potential health risks as well.

Chemotherapy Drugs

Sadly, while chemotherapy drugs are intended to treat cancer, some of these drugs have been linked to an increased risk of developing blood cancers post-treatment. Specific concerns include myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), potentially among others.

Hormone Therapy Drugs

Certain hormone therapy drugs have been linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of reproductive cancers. In particular, drugs containing estrogen combined with synthetic progestin have been linked to an increased cancer risk with long-term use.

Immunosuppressant Drugs

Immunosuppressant drugs, which slow down the body’s immune response to prevent it from attacking healthy tissue, have been linked to an increased risk of lymphoma and other skin cancers in some cases. Particular concerns have been raised with drugs used to prevent rejection following organ transplant procedures.

Drugs Containing NDMA

Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified as a “probable carcinogen.” In recent years, multiple medications have been recalled due to potential NDMA contamination. These include irbesartan, losartan, ranitidine and valsartan, among others.

These are just examples. Various other types of drugs may pose cancer risks as well. If you have questions about filing a lawsuit related to any type of drug, you should consult with a dangerous drug lawyer about your legal rights.

What Are My Legal Rights if I Have Been Diagnosed with Medication-Related Cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with a medication-related cancer (or if a loved one has been diagnosed with a medication-related cancer), you may have grounds to hold the drug company accountable. Drug companies can be held accountable for selling dangerous drugs; and, while there are exceptions, this generally includes drugs that cause cancer when used as intended.

Typically, when a drug is linked to a potential cancer risk, multiple patients and families will take legal action. As a result, if you have a claim, seeking accountability could involve joining an ongoing mass tort case. If you are eligible to join an ongoing case, our lawyers can take appropriate legal action and fight for just compensation on your behalf.

If you aren’t eligible to join an ongoing mass tort case, our lawyers can help you in this scenario as well. We have extensive experience suing the pharmaceutical companies, and we have a long track record of success in these cases. In all cases, we represent our clients on a contingency-fee basis—which means our clients pay nothing unless we win.

FAQs: Dangerous Drug Lawsuits Involving Cancer Diagnoses

Can I file a lawsuit if a doctor linked my (or my loved one’s) cancer diagnosis to a dangerous medication?

If a doctor has linked your (or your loved one’s) cancer diagnosis to a dangerous medication, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the medication’s manufacturer. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon scenario, and there have been multiple cancer-related dangerous drug lawsuits in recent years.

How do I prove that a dangerous drug is responsible for my (or my loved one’s) cancer diagnosis?

Proving that a dangerous drug is responsible for your (or your loved one’s) cancer diagnosis will require several forms of documentation. For now, you should collect your (or your loved one’s) medical records, and you should take notes about any relevant details. Once you hire a dangerous drug lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to assist with gathering all of the documentation you need.

When should I talk to a lawyer about filing a dangerous drug lawsuit?

If you have questions about filing a dangerous drug lawsuit, we recommend talking to a lawyer promptly. It costs nothing to learn about your legal rights; and, if you have a claim, taking legal action promptly could help maximize your chances of recovering just compensation.

We Help Patients and Families Fight for Just Compensation

If you have grounds to file a lawsuit for a cancer diagnosis linked to a dangerous drug, our law firm can take all necessary legal action on your behalf. We can also accurately calculate the long-term damages you are entitled to recover, and we can work to secure a favorable settlement on your behalf. We handle cases involving all types of dangerous drugs; and, in all cases, we use our experience to fight for the full compensation our clients deserve.

Speak with a Dangerous Drug Lawyer at Searcy Law for Free

Are you entitled to financial compensation? To find out, contact us today. Call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can help online to schedule a free consultation with a dangerous drug lawyer at Searcy Law.