On October 1st, 2021, Bayer AG, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, announced it was recalling nine products due to a cancer risk. The products, five from Bayer’s Lotrimin brand and four from its Tinactin brand, are popular across all 50 US states as an over-the-counter treatment for athlete’s foot and similar fungal infections. However, the recall was issued by Bayer after traces of benzene, which is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical), were found in these anti-fungal aerosol sprays. The sprays were distributed across a three-year period from September 2018 to September 2021. While there is no need to panic if you have used these products, law firms are urging people who have been diagnosed with cancer after using Lotrimin or Tinactin to come forward for a consultation.
- March 1, 2023 - Tinactin and Lotrimin recalled.
- February 1, 2023 - Over-the-counter (OTC), medications can be used to treat athlete's foot. You may be familiar with Lotrimin and Tinactin as foot fungus treatment options. However, there are many other options available at your local pharmacy. This common fungal infection can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications for athletes' feet in just a few days. You may need to get a prescription if it persists.
January 1, 2023 - Tinactin Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings
Signs of a Tinactin allergy:
- Difficulty breathing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the throat, lips, or face
- Wheezing
Anaphylaxis is a rare but life-threatening allergic reaction. Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Passing out
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Seizures
- Tightening of the throat and airways
- Vomiting
- December 1, 2022 - Juan Huertas used Tinactin to treat athlete's foot, while Eva Mistretta used Lotrimin. Bayer was sued by the plaintiffs, who claimed that benzene is carcinogen. They also claimed that the products caused cellular and genetic damage that increased the likelihood of developing cancer. They also claimed economic damage in the form of the loss of the product's purchase price, which they called "worthless".
- November 22, 2022 - The most common side effects of Lotrimin are: Erythema, stinging, blistering, peeling, edema, pruritus, urticaria, burning and irritation of the skin.
- July 1, 2022 - Lotrimin AF athlete's foot spray side effects updated.
- June 1, 2022 - Consumer Reports published Recalled Aerosol Athlete’s Foot Treatments Lotrimin AF, Tinactin.
- March 1, 2022 - Benzene is found in many personal care products and has been linked to cancer. This is just one of many benzene-related recalls. Others include Tinactin, Lotrimin antifungal sprays, and Coppertone sunscreen sprays.
- February 1, 2022 - Lotrimin contains tolnaftate. Common side effects of tolnaftate: itching and skin irritation. Rare side effects (tend to have a severe expression): a significant type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis and a type of allergic reaction called angioedema. Less severe expression: inflammation of the lips, erythema or redness of the skin or mucous membrane, hair loss, hair discoloration, dry skin, a stinging sensation on the skin, and abnormal hair texture.
- January 1, 2021 - An updated list of Lotrimin and Tinactin products who were voluntary recalled by Bayer was released.
Several weeks have passed since Bayer issued its urgent recall of products that may contain a cancer-causing chemical. News of the recall comes after FDA warnings over other consumer products, including hand sanitizers, that contain benzene. The Tinactin and Lotrimin cancer lawsuits are now at the stage where personal injury law firms are encouraging potential claimants – that is, anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer after using Lotrimin or Tinactin sprays – to be in touch. If you believe you or a loved one may have been affected by benzene in Lotrimin or Tinactin sprays, you can fill out a free evaluation form to start your claim.
So far, Bayer has recalled four Tinactin products linked to cancer-causing benzene. They are:
- Tinactin Jock Itch (JI) Powder Spray
- Tinactin Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray
- Tinactin Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
- Tinactin Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray
Bayer has recalled five Lotrimin products linked to benzene. They are:
- Lotrimin Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
- Lotrimin Anti-Fungal Jock Itch (AFJI) Athlete’s Foot Powder Spray
- Lotrimin Anti-Fungal (AF) Athlete’s Foot Deodorant Powder Spray
- Lotrimin AF Athlete’s Foot Liquid Spray
- Lotrimin AF Athlete’s Foot Daily Prevention Deodorant Powder Spray
Lotrimin is a brand of anti-fungal treatments used for athlete’s foot and other skin complaints. Its producer, Bayer, found that some of the sprays in the range contained benzene, a chemical that has been proven to cause cancer. As such, Bayer issued a nationwide recall on five Lotrimin-branded products that had been distributed over a three-year period up until September 2021. Naturally, people will have questions over how a substance like benzene (its toxicity has been known for around 120 years) got into the products in the first place. While that subject will undoubtedly be addressed in the future by scientists, legal experts and researchers, specialist cancer law firms are now gathering evidence and urging claimants to come forward to discuss their circumstances if they have developed cancer after using Lotrimin.
Tinactin, which is also produced by Bayer, offers similar athlete’s foot treatment to Lotrimin, although certain ingredients are different. Regardless of the differences in the products, the key issue is that four Tinactin branded sprays were also found to contain benzene. Bayer said in its press release on the recall that, “Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin. Depending on duration and level of exposure, it can result in cancers including leukemia, and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening.” So, if you or a loved one have developed cancer after using Tinactin, Lotrimin, or both sprays, you are being encouraged to speak with an experienced law firm to pursue compensation.
There are several different anti-fungal sprays in the Lotrimin range, each of which will have slightly different ingredients. As such, Lotrimin side effects can vary by product. However, most reports of side effects of Lotrimin focus on the active ingredient miconazole, which can cause skin issues like rashes, itchiness, redness, and a burning sensation.
As with Lotrimin, Tinactin is a brand name covering several products. However, the main active ingredient in Tinactin sprays is tolnaftate. While this is different from the miconazole in Lotrimin, reports of Tinactin side effects are similar – itchiness, rash, dry skin, and burning.
Benzene has long been known as a cancer-causing chemical. As a chemical, it has a range of industrial uses, but it is probably best known for being a byproduct of smoking tobacco. Benzene can be absorbed in several ways, including through the skin, which is one of the reasons for the major concern in the Tinactin and Lotrimin legal cases. Of most concern is the link between benzene and types of leukemia. As per the World Health Organization, “Benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia (acute non-lymphocytic leukemia), and there is limited evidence that benzene may also cause acute and chronic, lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma.” Types of cancer linked to benzene include:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
We should add that benzene is a cause of many non-cancerous complications, such as:
- Aplastic Anemia
- Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDL)
- Excess bleeding
While many of the complications are linked to blood and bone marrow disorders, damage may also occur within the nervous system and the immune system.
Bayer has faced a huge number of lawsuits over the years, both in America and abroad. In fact, the company has the unwanted record of paying the largest settlement in pharma history (so far) when it was forced to pay more than $10 billion as part of another cancer lawsuit involving Roundup Weedkiller. Despite that massive settlement, the company is still facing Roundup lawsuits today. Bayer was also forced to settle for $775 million in a case involving Xarelto, a blood-thinning drug it makes in partnership with Johnson and Johnson. The company has also recently faced lawsuits for products like Dicamba and for PCB pollution.
The Lotrimin and Tinactin lawsuits are at a very early stage. At this point, lawyers are calling for potential claimants to come forward if they believe they have a case against Bayer. While it’s best not to speculate on the size of the Bayer lawsuit payout without more information, we can assume successful claimants would receive large sums should the lawsuits demonstrate the link with cancer. Of course, personal injury law firms might look to the $10 billion Bayer cancer lawsuit payout for Roundup as a guide, but it’s too soon to say whether the Tinactin and Lotrimin cancer cases will be as wide-reaching.
What is Lotrimin used for?
Lotrimin products are used to treat athlete’s foot and other fungal infections affecting skin in other parts of the body. There are several Lotrimin products, although not all have been recalled by Bayer, as well as several Tinactin products produced by Bayer.
Why does Lotrimin burn?
Some users of Lotrimin sprays have reported side effects like burning, itching, redness, and rash. This is linked to the active ingredient in the spray, miconazole topical. If you experience these side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider.
What is the problem in Lotrimin and Tinactin?
Some of Bayer’s Lotrimin and Tinactin athlete’s foot sprays have been recalled over concerns they contain benzene, a known cause of cancer.
What is the risk in using Lotrimin and Tinactin?
We do not know the risks of using Lotrimin and Tinactin, but Bayer has issued a recall of these products due to the presence of benzene. The cancer-causing chemical can be absorbed through the skin, so there is a real concern that benzene in Lotrimin and Tinactin could be linked to cancers.
What types of cancer are linked to Lotrimin and Tinactin?
The outcome of the Bayer lawsuits will determine whether using Lotrimin and Tinactin can cause cancer. However, we do know the chemical responsible for the recall, benzene, causes cancer and has been linked to leukemia and other blood disorders.
