What is Valsartan?

Valsartan is an off-patent active ingredient in a number of generic drugs.

Valsartan is commonly present in drugs used to treat:

• Hypertension
• Heart failure
• Left ventricular failure
• Left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction

Valsartan is classified as an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

Valsartan works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.

Valsartan is also sometimes prescribed with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to treat hypertension.

Valsartan Dangers & Health Risks

Valsartan has been associated with an increased risk of developing:

• Kidney cancer
• Intestine cancer

Along with the most serious dangers of taking valsartan, there are a number of side effects associated with valsartan.

Valsartan Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Joint and back pain
• Tiredness
• Symptoms of high blood potassium, including rhythm problems, muscle weakness, and slow heart rate.

NDMA Found in Valsartan

Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical first discovered that the generic valsartan products that the company was producing contained impurities, including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical supplied these generic drugs containing NDMA to US-based pharmaceutical companies Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. These companies then processed and distributed the drugs to the US market.

What is N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)?

NDMA is a semivolatile organic chemical that forms in both industrial and natural processes.

It is member of N-ni- trosamines, a family of potent carcinogens (EPA).

NDMA Facts

• NDMA is an organic chemical compound that has been labeled as a probable human carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• NDMA is found in a variety of products ranging from lubricants and softeners to rocket fuel.
• NDMA can be produced through chemical reactions that occur in the manufacturing process.
• NDMA is the byproduct of the manufacturing of certain pesticides, fish processing, and the production of rubber tires.
• NDMA can also be found naturally, in trace amounts in certain foods. NDMA is released in these foods through chemical reactions during the food preparation process. For example, NDMA can be produced by grilling, browning, and salting certain meats.
• Studies on animals have shown NDMA to be a carcinogen, causing cancerous tumors to form on the liver, kidney, and respiratory tract. Liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and nasal cancer have all been associated with NDMA, but it appears to be a universal carcinogen, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer in almost all organs. For these reasons, NDMA has been labeled a probable human carcinogen.
• NMDA exposure has also been associated with non-cancerous liver damage, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

How Dangerous is NDMA?

Based on lab testing, NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen. NDMA is found naturally and at low levels in water and foods such as meats, dairy, and vegetables.

Extremely small levels of NDMA found in foods are not harmful. However, higher levels of NDMA are associated with an increased risk of a number of serious cancers and liver damage.

NDMA contamination in valsartan is high enough that it has sparked major concern from manufacturers, federal oversite institutions, and consumers. While NDMA has not yet been labeled a known human carcinogen, it is still likely to be dangerous to humans.

Valsartan NDMA Injuries

Due to the presence of the probable carcinogen NDMA in Valsartan, Valsartan could put consumers at risk of developing cancer.

Individuals involved in the Valsartan lawsuit claim that NDMA in Valsartan caused them to develop cancer, specifically:

• Kidney cancer
• Intestine cancer

Valsartan Kidney Injury

Valsartan is difficult to metabolize, often causing stress on the liver. Valsartan has been linked to an increased risk of developing kidney cancer. This is due to the presence of NDMA, which is a probable carcinogen found in valsartan.

Studies of NDMA consumption in animals has linked the chemical to an increased risk of kidney cancer specifically.

Because of the presence of NDMA in Valsartan, the drug could put consumers at risk of kidney disease.

If you or a loved one took valsartan and subsequently were diagnosed with kidney damage or cancer of the kidney, you may qualify for a valsartan lawsuit.

Valsartan Liver Injury

NDMA has been linked to an increased risk of liver disease & liver damage when consumed. Valsartan can cause liver damage in consumers. Valsartan also increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

If you or a loved one took valsartan and subsequently were diagnosed with liver damage or liver cancer, you may qualify for a valsartan lawsuit.

FDA Announces Valsartan Recall

In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of a number of pharmaceutical drugs containing valsartan used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure due to the increased risk of certain cancers associated with NDMA.

Not all drugs containing valsartan were named in the recall.

“We have carefully assessed the valsartan-containing medications sold in the United States, and we’ve found that the valsartan sold by these specific companies does not meet our safety standards. This is why we’ve asked these companies to take immediate action to protect patients,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The FDA issued a press release along with the recall announcement – “The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured,” the FDA release said.

The FDA is now conducting a full-length investigation into the safety of the recalled products.

The FDA stresses the importance that patients DO NOT stop taking the recalled products altogether – the danger of abruptly discontinuing the use of this medication greatly outweighs the risks associated with short-term NDMA exposure – patients should rather contact their healthcare provider right away to discuss alternative medication options.

22 other countries that had previously recalled valsartan products prior to the FDA valsartan recall.

Recalled Products Containing NDMA

The following were named in the recall:

• Major Pharmaceuticals valsartan products
• Solco Healthcare valsartan products
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. valsartan products
• Solco Healthcare valsartan/HCTZ products
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. valsartan/HCTZ products

Valsartan Lawsuit

A valsartan lawsuit was filed on behalf of individuals who were prescribed valsartan and subsequently suffered injuries related to NDMA consumption.

Claims are being investigated against manufacturers and distributors of hypertension medications containing the active ingredient valsartan, which contains the probable human carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. sold hypertension and heart failure medication containing valsartan, putting consumers at risk of developing a number of life-threatening cancers.

Tor Hoerman Law is currently accepting new valsartan lawsuit clients.

Do I Qualify for Valsartan Lawsuit

Were you prescribed one or more of the following products?

• Major Pharmaceuticals valsartan products
• Solco Healthcare valsartan products
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. valsartan products
• Solco Healthcare valsartan/HCTZ products
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. valsartan/HCTZ products

And developed any of the following injuries as a result?

• Liver cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Colorectal cancer

If so, you may be eligible to participate in a valsartan lawsuit. You should contact an experienced valsartan injury lawyer right away to discuss the specifics of your case.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation to discuss your legal options today.

Want to find out if you qualify right away? Use our chatbot below to receive a free, instant online case evaluation right now.

Filing a Valsartan Lawsuit

2 steps you should take before filing a valsartan NDMA lawsuit:

1. Mitigate Damges
2. Contact an Injury Attorney

Mitigating NDMA Exposure Injuries

The first step you should take before initiating legal action is mitigating damages you suffer as a result of your injuries.

In order to mitigate damages, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible after your injury. Be sure to get an official diagnosis from your doctor & follow your doctor’s orders.

Do everything in your power to decreases the damages that you incur as a result of your injury. This is a crucial step in building a strong & honest case.

Hire a Valsartan NDMA Lawyer

After you have seen a doctor, you should consider contact a lawyer to represent you. Before doing so, familiarize yourself with the steps of civil litigation, so that you are aware of the process of a valsartan lawsuit. Once you know what legal action entails, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Do not hesitate to contact a valsartan injury lawyer – the statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to take legal action after an injury, so if you wait too long, you may be barred from using the courts.

There are many benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney to represent you.

Your valsartan injury lawyer will be

• Assess damages for your case to determine the amount of compensation you should demand from the defendant.
• Establish liability for you injuries.
• Gather evidence to build a strong case in your favor.
• Navigate the complexities of the court & the civil litigation process.
• Fight to get your compensated for your losses in the form of a settlement or verdict.

Let a valsartan injury lawyer handle your case so that you can focus on what really matters, recovery.

TorHoerman Law, Valsartan NDMA Injury Lawyers

Our team of attorneys has more than 100 years of litigation experience. With more than $4 billion in negotiated settlements and verdicts for our clients, our results speak for themselves.

TorHoerman Law, we offer free no-obligation case consultations with all potential valsartan lawsuit clients. Call today to discuss your case with a valsartan injury lawyer today.

All TorHoerman Law valsartan injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. So, we are just as dedicated as our clients to getting the best possible outcome for all of our valsartan lawsuit plaintiffs. Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.