Valsartan is a medication used to treat hypertension and heart failure. It can also lower the risk of death after a heart attack. The medication lowers blood pressure by preventing blood vessels from narrowing. Valsartan has been on the market for 15 years and has been prescribed to both adults and children ages six and older.
In July 2018, the FDA announced a recall of Valsartan, due to the discovery of an impurity in the medication. Some batches of Valsartan were found to contain N- Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA); a known cancer-causing agent. NDMA is a highly toxic organic chemical that has been used to make liquid rocket fuel; amongst other dangerous products. It can also be unintentionally produced during some manufacturing processes, which is likely how NDMA ended up in Valsartan.
The manufacturers released Valsartan to the public without ensuring the purity of the contents of the medication. As a result, patients were not warned of the risks Valsartan posed and were potentially exposed to a dangerous carcinogen. Long term exposure to NDMA can cause severe illness to virtually every organ in the human body and is especially harmful to the liver. In the short period since the recall has been made public, reports claim the impure Valsartan has caused:
- Acute liver injury (requiring a hospital visit)
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
Currently, the batches of Valsartan that have been recalled and were without question tainted with NDMA are:
- Valsartan by Major Pharmaceuticals
- Valsartan by Solco Healthcare
- Valsartan by Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
- Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) by Solco Healthcare
- Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) by Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
This list along with other injuries related to Valsartan use is expected to expand as the investigation continues. If you are currently taking Valsartan, it is advised that you speak to your doctor about alternative medications before discontinuing your Valsartan regimen.
Defective medication lawsuits leave victims in a vulnerable position, and we want to help. If you or a loved one has been prescribed Valsartan and are experiencing adverse side effects, call us at the Law Offices of Rudolph F.X. Migliore. We would love to hear your story, and if necessary, guide you through the overwhelming and frustrating legal process.
Call our local Long Island office at (631) 543-3663 for a free consultation. When it comes to your case, we are your point of contact.