The valsartan blood pressure drug, a popular treatment option, has been involved in a recent recall by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall came after reports of contamination with the chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. NDMA has been associated with an increased risk of cancer in humans, the FDA notes, and is considered a probable carcinogen. Valsartan has also been linked with a possible increased risk of liver damage.

If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects caused by NDMA contamination after using valsartan blood pressure medication, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Basics of Valsartan

Valsartan blood pressure medication (the generic equivalent to the brand drug Diovan) is manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in China.

Valsartan is part of a class of hypertension drugs known as angiotensin II receptor agonists. Valsartan is distributed by a number of manufacturers, including Major Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and others. Valsartan was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) as a treatment for high blood pressure.

It has been approved for use in children ages six and up. In adults, it has been approved to treat heart failure, as well as to reduce the risk of death for patients during recovery from a heart attack.

Valsartan Blood Pressure Medication Recall

Unfortunately, the valsartan blood pressure drug has been linked with some serious risks, including cancer and liver damage. Valsartan has been linked with an impurity that is considered a “probable human carcinogen,” or substance capable of causing cancer. Reports of this contamination eventually led to a valsartan FDA recall.

The valsartan FDA recall was announced in July 2018, when the agency informed the public that it had asked manufacturers of generic valsartan to issue a voluntary recall for the medication, taking it off the U.S. market. It’s not just the manufacturers—pharmacists have also been asked to take the medications affected by the valsartan FDA recall and return them to their manufacturers.

According to the valsartan blood pressure drug recall, “This recall is due to an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which was found in the recalled products … NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.”

It should be noted that not all valsartan products have been affected by the FDA recall. Manufacturers and repackagers involved in the recall include:

• Major Pharmaceuticals
• Solco Healthcare
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• Bryant Ranch Prepack
• J Harkins Company
• Lake Erie Medical (d/b/a Quality Care Products)
• NuCare Pharmaceuticals
• Northwind Pharmaceuticals
• Proficient Rx

Filing a Valsartan Blood Pressure Drug Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from cancer or liver damage after taking valsartan, this may be caused by the NDMA impurity, and you may be able to pursue litigation.

Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages. A pharmaceutical products attorney can help you recover compensation.