Valsartan Cancer Lawsuit
Valsartan is a common drug for treating high blood pressure and heart disease. Generic valsartan was manufactured by multiple companies, including Torrent and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. Several other companies also made Valsartan that may have been contaminated with NDMA (N-nitrosodiethylamine) or NDEA (N-nitrosodimethylamine), according to the FDA. Both NDMA and NDEA are potent genotoxic carcinogens. The attorneys at Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn make up a large portion of the leadership in the valsartan litigation. Daniel Nigh is co-lead counsel of the valsartan litigation. Marlene Goldenberg is on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and discovery committee of the valsartan litigation. Ashleigh Raso is on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee of the valsartan litigation. And Brett Vaughn is on the Plaintiff’s Executive Committee and co-chair of the science and expert committee of the valsartan litigation.
Valsartan is a common drug for treating high blood pressure and heart disease.
Valsartan is a common drug for treating high blood pressure and heart disease. Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), a class of drugs that work by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure. It’s available in generic form as well as under the brand name Diovan. Valsartan is made by many companies, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., which markets it under the brand name Diovan.
Who makes Valsartan?
Valsartan is a prescription medication that can lower your blood pressure. It’s also used to treat congestive heart failure and diabetic kidney disease. Valsartan is manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Hetero Drugs Limited; Aurobindo Pharma Limited; Mylan; Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited; and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. The active ingredient for valsartan is primarily manufactured in China and India.
Why was Valsartan recalled?
Valsartan was recalled because it was found to be contaminated with NDMA and NDEA, chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
What is NDMA?
NDMA is a colorless liquid that can be used as a solvent, an antifreeze, and a rocket fuel. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) can be formed as a byproduct of the manufacturing process for certain pharmaceuticals.
Other Nitrosamines Were Also Discovered in Contaminated Valsartan, Losartan, and Irbesartan
In addition to NDMA, NDEA and NMBA were also found in contaminated valsartan. The blood pressure medications losartan and irbesartan were also identified as having these dangerous carcinogens.
What types of cancers can valsartan with NDMA cause?
The following types of cancer may be caused by NDMA:
- bladder cancer
- blood cancer
- colorectal cancer
- intestinal cancer
- esophageal
- gastric
- liver cancer
- lung cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- pharyngeal cancer (throat)
- prostate cancer (prostate gland)
- stomach cancer (stomach lining)
How did Valsartan get contaminated with NDMA and NDEA?
To understand how NDMA and NDEA got into the valsartan supply, it’s important to first look at how these chemicals are formed.
NDMA is formed when nitrites are used in the manufacturing process. Nitrites can be found in some chemicals that are used as manufacturing aids for making medicines. NDMA can also be present in recycled solvents.
What products were recalled?
The recalled drugs contained valsartan or a similar ingredient, and can be identified by their generic names:
- Valsartan (e.g., Diovan)
- Losartan (e.g., Hyzaar)
- Irbesartan (e.g., Avapro)
How do I know if the valsartan I took was contaminated?
If you took valsartan between 2012 and 2019, it’s possible that you’re eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of your valsartan. All you need to do is fill out an online form or contact one of our valsartan attorneys at 202-792-7927 to get started.
If you have not received a recall letter from your pharmacy or health care provider yet but are concerned about whether your valsartan may be contaminated with NDMA, then there are steps you can take:
- The FDA maintains a list of all recalled products on their website. You can search for specific medications by name or lot number on this page. If the medication in question is listed as having been recalled, then it’s possible that it was contaminated.
- If you have any questions about whether a particular product has been recalled due to contamination concerns or other reasons (such as manufacturing errors), call our valsartan attorneys for more information.
Is it safe to take other generic drugs containing valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan?
The FDA has put out a list of all the drugs that contain valsartan and losartan. The FDA is investigating other generic drugs that contain nitrosamines in an effort to identify all potentially tainted products. If you take a generic medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if it contains valsartan or losartan. Always talk with your doctor before you change or stop taking your medication.
Valsartan Litigation Update
The valsartan, losartan and irbesartan MDL is pending in the District of New Jersey before the Honorable Robert Kugler. Daniel Nigh is co-lead counsel. Marlene Goldenberg is the head of the Discovery Committee. Brett Vaughn is a co-lead of the Science and Experts committee. Ashleigh Raso is also a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
The Valsartan Litigation Update contains information about how cases are being handled in this litigation, updates on class action settlements (if applicable), any upcoming trials related to this litigation (if applicable) and more!
An experienced attorney can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit against valsartan drug manufacturers.
Once you’ve decided to file a lawsuit against a drug manufacturer due to injuries sustained from their valsartan, it’s important that you get the help of an experienced attorney. An experienced valsartan attorney will be able to guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit, and make sure that all necessary steps are taken in order to ensure success.
If possible, it is also beneficial for individuals who have been harmed by dangerous medications to seek out an attorney who has experience working with similar cases. These types of attorneys have likely seen what works and what doesn’t work in these cases, and can therefore provide valuable advice on how best to proceed with your valsartan claim.
Additionally, when choosing an attorney for this type of case (or any other type) it is crucial that they have experience with these types of lawsuits before; otherwise there is no guarantee that they’ll be able to know how to best handle yours.
Don’t let your health hang in the balance while the drug companies play it safe. If you’ve been harmed by contaminated Valsartan, talk to an attorney who can help you get compensation for what you’ve suffered.
Conclusion
The valsartan litigation is just the latest in a long line of pharmaceutical product liability cases. The drug companies behind these products have a duty to the public to ensure their products are safe and effective, and when they fail to live up to this standard we see cases like this one. If you’ve been harmed by contaminated Valsartan, contact an experienced attorney today so they can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers who put profits over people’s lives. Contact our our valsartan attorneys today at (202) 792-7927.
