A valsartan lawsuit investigation is gathering data from people who took the valsartan generic and later developed cancer. The valsartan generic drug is given to those people who have blood pressure issues.

However, a recent discovery by one manufacturer of valsartan indicates that certain forms of valsartan generic drugs have a contaminant inside that could cause users to develop cancer.

A new recall has been issued upon discovery that certain valsartan generic versions may be affected by this contaminant. This recall does not include the brand-name Diovan products. Some other patients allege that in addition to the cancer risk, the medication carries serious liver damage concerns.

The valsartan generic formulation is inside several common drugs that are used to treat the risk of heart failure or high blood pressure, leading to a voluntary recall in the U.S. That valsartan generic recall was primarily initiated due to the discovery of a drug impurity, known as N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, that could cause users to develop cancer.

Results of lab tests showed that NDMA, which is classified as a probable human carcinogen, may be inside this generic formulation.

Although valsartan is currently off patent and is used generically in other medications, not every medication containing this drug is involved in the recall. The companies affected by the valsartan generic recall include Major Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, and Solco Healthcare. Camber Pharmaceuticals was recently added to the list, and the FDA is keeping patients and physicians apprised of which manufacturer’s products are and are not included in the recall.

Before the FDA released their concerns about the possible cancer-causing impurity inside the drug, 22 other countries had issued recalls for versions of these drugs distributed throughout Europe and Canada.

Patients currently experiencing good results with their valsartan regimen but who are taking drugs like Diovan, Exforge, Diovan HCT, Exforge HCT, and Entresto are encouraged to continue taking their meds for now, the FDA says. Patients taking a recalled medication should consider a consultation with a doctor immediately about whether or not to continue taking the drug or to find an alternative. There are other options available, but talking to a physician immediately about how to end one treatment plan and begin another is important.

Currently, the true cancer risk for those drugs with NDMA is not well known. Researchers believe that the total amount of NDMA consumed by a patient could have an impact on overall cancer risk, but long-term details are not known about the possible connection between the use of these drugs and development of cancer.

The drug was originally approved in the U.S. to treat hypertension or high blood pressure in children ages six years and older as well as adults. Drugs like valsartan generic allow a patient’s blood to flow more freely by minimizing blood vessel constriction.

The European Medicines Agency announced in spring 2018 that a NDMA had been discovered in certain valsartan generic formulations that gave cause for concern among users and the medical community.

In July 2018, the FDA shared that they asked three manufacturers of the generic formulations in question to voluntarily recall it from the U.S. market as the risk for cancer development was unknown but potentially dangerous.

The FDA has initiated an ongoing review to determine what steps should be taken in the future. Patients who already developed liver damage or received a cancer diagnosis could be eligible to participate in a valsartan lawsuit investigation.