Valsartan Cancer Lawsuit
Pharmaceutical companies have recalled blood pressure drugs potentially contaminated with a probable carcinogen.
If you or a loved one took a drug containing valsartan and experienced liver injury or were diagnosed with liver cancer, lung cancer, or kidney cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Kishish Law Group today for your free and confidential case evaluation by completing our contact form or by calling us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664.
August 9, 2018 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated list of blood pressure medication affected by the recent recall of valsartan products. The list now includes products from Camber Pharmaceuticals Inc., manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited in India.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Of those adults with high blood pressure, almost 76% take some form of medication to help combat their high blood pressure.
Valsartan is one drug commonly used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure. Valsartan may also be used after a heart attack to treat heart failure. The drug works by relaxing blood vessels to decrease blood pressure and stress on the heart.
Recently, three companies that manufacture valsartan voluntarily recalled their drugs after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) learned that the drugs might be contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a chemical known to cause cancer in humans. The FDA action came after 22 other countries recalled valsartan after the European Medicines Agency found that the supplier, Zhejian Huahai Pharmaceuticals, had potentially introduced an impurity into their valsartan batches by changing their manufacturing process.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies NDMA as a "probable human carcinogen." Formerly used to make liquid rocket fuel, NDMA is no longer used in the United States outside of research purposes.
Patients exposed to potentially dangerous NDMA levels are now suing the manufacturers of valsartan products, claiming that the pharmaceutical companies had a duty to warn patients about the risks of taking drugs that contained valsartan. If you experienced a liver injury or were diagnosed with liver, kidney or lung cancer after taking a drug that contained valsartan, you may have a case against these pharmaceutical companies.
Filing a case can help you or your family recover medical bills, lost wages, and other injuries that you may have suffered by taking a valsartan-containing drug. Joining a valsartan lawsuit can help send a message that pharmaceutical companies have a duty to make sure that their drugs are safe and well-tested for impurities before they reach the market.
What are the symptoms of NDMA exposure?
Short-term exposure to NDMA can cause liver injury, while long-term exposure may increase the risk of lung, liver, or kidney cancers. Other effects of NDMA exposure may include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, mucuous membranes, or whites of the eyes)
- Enlarged liver
- Reduced liver, lung or kidney function
- Dizziness
You should not stop taking valsartan unless your doctor recommends that you switch to an alternative. You may wish to contact your medical provider to find out if your blood pressure medications could be affected by this contamination.
Has valsartan been recalled?
Several companies have voluntarily recalled their valsartan-containing drugs after learning that they may have been contaminated with NDMA.
As of August 2018, the U.S. FDA has published a list of valsartan products subject to the recall and a list of those that have not been subject to the recall. The list of drugs subject to recall include products from Teva Pharmaceuticals (Major Pharmaceuticals, Actavis), Prinston Pharmaceutical (Solco Healthcare), AvKARE, Remedy Repack, A-S Medication Solutions, Bryant Ranch Prepack, H J Harkins Company, Proficient Rx LP, and Northwind Pharmaceuticals. The FDA continues to work with pharmaceutical companies to determine which products have been affected by the NDMA contamination. The FDA noted that NDMA found in products subject to the recall "exceeded" the "acceptable levels."
Since the FDA issued its notice of the voluntarily recall, it has twice expanded the list of products that may be tainted by NDMA.
Do I have a valsartan lawsuit?
Contacting an experienced attorney about your case is the best way to determine if you have a valsartan case and to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Our experienced lawyers and staff will review your case and help you decide what legal option is right for you. Our lawyers are experienced with pharmaceutical drug cases and have recovered millions of dollars for their clients. The Kishish Law Group can help you today. Call us toll free at 1 (888) 609-4664 or complete our contact form for your free and confidential case evaluation.
DISCLAIMER: No attorney client relationship will exist between you and our firm until we enter into a signed Retainer/Services Agreement. Completion of this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a Retainer/Services Agreement. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions this website may be considered lawyer advertising. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Click here for more information.
Speak with a Valsartan Lawyer
If you took a drug containing valsartan and experienced liver injury or were diagnosed with liver cancer, lung cancer, or kidney cancer, you may be entitled to compensation.
Reach out to Kishish Law Group immediately to find out your legal options.
Related Articles
- April 1, 2020
FDA Requests Companies to Stop Selling All Zantac Products, Citing Cancer Concerns - August 13, 2018
FDA Updates List of Valsartan Blood Pressure Medication Affected by Recall - February 18, 2018
Invokana Lawsuits Rise, First Trial of Alleged Amputation Set for September - June 12, 2017
Invokana Side Effects and Diabetic Ketoacidosis - June 8, 2017
SGLT2 Inhibitors, like Invokana, Found to Double Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis