Patients who have taken valsartan medication for the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure, or as part of a post-heart attack recovery, and suffered cancer or liver damage may qualify to join a lawsuit investigation regarding the drug’s side effects.

What is Valsartan?

Valsartan, a generic equivalent of Diovan, is a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart failure. It is also often prescribed for patients who have recently suffered heart attacks.

Valsartan is part of a class of drugs known as angiotensin receptor blockers, which work by relaxing constricted blood vessels so that the blood is able to flow more easily. The U.S. FDA has approved valsartan for use in adults and children over the age of six.

Valsartan Medication Recall and Impurities

Due to a recently discovered problem at the drug’s manufacturing facility, patients who take valsartan may be at an increased risk for cancer. Although the manufacturing impurities have only recently been discovered, it is possible that tainted medication has been distributed to patients for years.

The European Medicines Agency announced the discovery of impurities found in valsartan medication pills made by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer. The May 2018 announcement states that the impurity has been classified as a probable human carcinogen, or a substance that may cause cancer.

According to U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the impurities found in valsartan are likely to be caused by changes in the manufacturing process. As these changes were instituted in 2012, it is likely that impure pills were marketed to patients for several years before the problems were discovered.

Following the discovery of the impurity, the FDA announced in July 2018 that three valsartan medication manufacturers had agreed to voluntarily recall their products from the U.S. market. According to the recall announcement, patients should not stop taking valsartan until they consult with their doctor.

The FDA recommends that patients continue to take valsartan until they are able to find a replacement medication. Not every valsartan product is affected by the recall. The FDA has released a list of all lots recalled due to the suspected impurity.

Valsartan Side Effects

Valsartan may be connected to several dangerous side effects, including liver toxicity and liver damage. Possible symptoms linking valsartan with liver problems include:

• Abdominal pain
• Hepatomegaly, or the enlargement of the liver
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Skin changes

Additional serious valsartan side effects may include:

• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Vomiting
• Swelling of the skin or face

Valsartan Medication Lawsuits

Patients who have been diagnosed with liver damage, liver failure, or cancers including lung and kidney cancer after taking valsartan may be eligible to join a lawsuit investigation. Patients may be able to pursue compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, or medical expenses.