Valsartan
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious health concern, such as Stomach, Small Intestine, Colorectal, Esophageal, Liver, Prostate, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Multiple myeloma after using the hypertension medication Valsartan, we urge you to contact our pharmaceutical liability attorneys by calling 1.800.556.5522 or by filling out the form below. You may be entitled to pursue legal action.
What is Valsartan?
Valsartan is a prescription medication [angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)] used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), recent heart attacks and heart failure. Millions of Americans have taken Valsartan, which has been on the market for decades and is now the target of a significant recall by the FDA.
What Issues Surround Valsartan?
Numerous batches of the drug have been found to be contaminated with the cancer-causing substances N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), and/or N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid (NMBA). Prolonged exposure to these batches of adulterated medication can lead to colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and/or stomach cancer. Various manufacturers have recalled the Valsartan they have produced, which may have contained the NDMA, NDEA or NMBA byproducts.
NDMA, NDEA and NMBA are known carcinogens, and short-term exposure to NDMA can cause liver damage such as liver fibrosis and scarring. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of tumors.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NDMA is not currently produced in pure form or commercially used in the United States, except for research purposes. NDMA was formerly used, among other things, in the production of antioxidants, liquid rocket fuel, additives for lubricants and softeners for copolymers.
What Companies are Being Targeted in Litigation?
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against major pharmaceutical companies and producers of Valsartan including Zhejiang Huahai, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Mylan NV and CVS Health Corporation. While contaminates were found in Valsartan batches produced by several pharmaceutical companies, carcinogen levels were highest in batches of the drug produced by Zhejiang Huahai. Since the FDA discovered the tainted Valsartan drugs in July 2018, they have been coordinating a recall of the medication. Almost 40 defendants have been sued so far.
According to the FDA, it is projected that some batches of Valsartan pills have been contaminated with NDMA for four years before the issue was discovered and that it is currently unknown how many patients may have developed cancer as a result of taking contaminated Valsartan unknowingly. While there are currently dozens of claims against major pharmaceutical companies concerning the contaminated drug, it is expected that the number of claims will reach in the thousands as litigation surges.
What are the Symptoms of NDMA Over-Exposure?
Symptoms of NDMA over-exposure include:
- headaches
- fever
- nausea
- jaundice
- vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- enlarged liver
- reduced function of the liver, kidneys and lungs
- and dizziness
Contact the Pharmaceutical Liability Attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos Today.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos are investigating the issues surrounding the use of the adulterated Valsartan and are interested in speaking with individuals who took prescription Valsartan for at least one year who were later diagnosed with bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and/or stomach cancer. If you or a family member have had their health compromised by Valsartan ingestion, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation with the assistance of our team of experienced litigators.