WHAT IS VALSARTAN?
Valsartan is one of a group of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney diseases. ARBs work by enlarging and expanding blood vessels and reducing blood pressure, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. First approved by the FDA in 1996, valsartan had been sold by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation under the brand name Diovan. However, in 2012 the Novartis patent on Diovan and valsartan expired, and shortly thereafter the market was flooded with generic valsartan, many of which were produced overseas to cut costs. To date, nearly two dozen pharmaceutical companies manufacture ARBs containing valsartan, many of which were subject to the FDA recall.
WHAT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES MANUFACTURED VALSARTAN?
- MyLan Pharmaceuticals;
- Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc. labeled as Solco Healthcare LLC;
- Teva Pharmaceuticals labeled as Major Pharmaceuticals and Actavis;
- Torrent Pharmaceuticals;
- AvKare;
- Hetero Labs Inc. labeled as Camber Pharmaceuticals Inc.;
- Aurobindo Pharma, USA;
- Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc.;
- Rising Pharamceuticals, Inc.:
- NuCare Pharmaceuticals;
- Northwind Pharmaceuticals
The list of NDMA contaminated lots of valsartan continues to grow, and if you are concerned that your medication was affected, consult the FDA list to determine if it was the subject to the NDMA recall.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VALSARTAN NDMA RECALLS
In July 2018, the FDA discovered that certain lots of valsartan contained an impurity known as N-nitrosodimethlamine (NDMA), which is regarded by the EPA as a known cancer-causing carcinogen. While NDMA is not manufactured in the United States in its pure form except for research purposes, it was formerly manufactured to produce rocket fuel and as an additive for lubricants and softeners for copolymers. According to the EPA, NDMA can be unintentionally produced and released from industrial sources such as foundries, pesticide manufacturing plants, and rubber and tire manufacturers. Later in September of 2018, the FDA announced that in addition to NDMA, they had discovered valsartan contaminated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) a similar cancer-causing carcinogen. In the months to follow, the FDA issued recalls of Irbesartan and Losartan due to NDEA contamination.
Certain lots of valsartan and losartan produced by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in Linhai, China, Zheijiang Tianyu, in Taizhou China, and Hetero Labs Limited in Telangana India were found to be contaminated with NDMA. These companies manufacture valsartan for sale to American Pharmaceutical companies, many of which were subject to recall. While the FDA only recalled valsartan in July of 2018, it is believed that Zhejian Huahai has been producing contaminated valsartan since 2012 and that the tainted drugs have been in circulation in the United States since as early as 2014.
It is believed that Zhejian Huahai has been producing pharmaceuticals including contaminated valsartan since 2012 and that the NDMA tainted drugs have been in circulation in the United States since as early as 2014.
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF NDMA AND VALSARTAN – COMMON VALSARTAN INJURIES
Though research into the long-term consequences of ingestion or consumption of toxic carcinogens such as NDMA and NDEA is ongoing, the preliminary results are certainly concerning. Overexposure to NDMA and NDEA has the worst effect on the kidneys and liver as they attempt to filter the carcinogens from the body.
Some of the less severe side effects of Valsartan include:
- Gastrointestinal issues such as cramps, nausea, and vomiting
- Fever
- Headaches
- Jaundice
- Reduced organ function
- Dizziness
Those with prolonged exposure are at higher risk of very serious and potentially fatal side effects.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS OF PROLONGED USE OF VALSARTAN
Liver Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Stomach Cancer
Intestinal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Lower Esophageal Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Leukemia
Multiple Myeloma
Kidney and Liver Failure
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WERE AFFECTED, INJURED OR DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AFTER TAKING VALSARTAN
If you or a loved one believe that you have been or are currently taking contaminated valsartan seeking medical attention should be your first priority. The FDA advises you not to discontinue your medication until receiving a replacement or alternative from your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. Stopping medication abruptly and without professional guidance can lead to immediate and severe health complications. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to advise an alternative treatment or provide medication that has not been contaminated. You can search the FDA list of recalled medications here; you should be able to find the drug manufacturer and lot number on the prescription bottle or the warning label. If you are unable to do so, ask your pharmacist for assistance.
In the event that you or a loved one has suffered complications after taking valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan, our injury lawyers at Marin and Barrett, Inc. are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable and getting you the compensation you deserve. Call the attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. at (888) 348-2735 today, the consultation is confidential and of absolutely no cost to you.
VALSARTAN ATTORNEYS
Did you suffer health consequences after taking valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan? Have you because ill or experience health consequences since 2012, or since the recalls in 2018? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation. We will work with you to fight the responsible parties and hold them accountable for your injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for current and future medical bills, lost wages and earning potential, pain and suffering, punitive damages if appropriate, and funeral and burial costs in the unfortunate event of a loved one’s death.
With so much money on the line these types of cases can take years to make their way through the courts and to date there have been no significant settlements or verdicts with respect to NDMA and NDEA contamination. But that may change. When there are similar cases nationwide, oftentimes in the thousands, the cases will be initially consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL) in an effort to streamline the discovery process. In February 2019, a MDL was established for valsartan in federal court in New Jersey and as of this year had over 240 pending lawsuits.
The Pharmaceutical Industry is an international financial powerhouse, spending $1.2 trillion worldwide and $485 billion in the United States alone in 2018. These companies can and will fight to protect their bottom line – even if it costs YOU. Do not go it alone, let us fight them for you to get the compensation you rightfully deserve. We work hand in hand with some of the most experienced and respected law firms nationwide and have the resources your case needs to stand toe to toe with pharmaceutical giants.
At Marin and Barrett, Inc. we firmly believe that the client’s needs come above all else and have established a fully transparent fee structure to reflect that. We work on a strictly contingency fee basis, meaning that we do not receive anything from you unless we are able to recover money either by settlement or verdict. Regardless of what type of case you have or what is required, you will know everything up front with no surprises. We shoulder the costs of the filing and litigation on your behalf and at no risk to you.
Call our Valsartan lawsuit attorneys Marin and Barrett, Inc. today (888) 348-2735 to schedule your free consultation, it only takes a few moments and there is no obligation.
ATTORNEY MATTHEW MARIN
Admitted in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and South Carolina and Assisting clients as a Rhode Island Valsartan Lawyer, Connecticut Valsartan Lawyer, and a Massachusetts Valsartan Lawyer
ATTORNEY KENSLEY BARETT
Admitted in Rhode Island and Assisting clients as a Rhode Island Valsartan Lawyer
ATTORNEY NICHOLAS PARRILLO
Admitted in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and Assisting clients as a Rhode Island Valsartan Lawyer and a Massachusetts Valsartan Lawyer
VALSARTAN DISCLAIMER: Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death.
