Joanna Szabo  |  June 30, 2020

Category: Legal News

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valsartan being manufactured at plant

While the blood pressure drug Valsartan is widely used, Valsartan impurities may cause intestinal cancer as well as kidney, liver, pancreatic, prostate, stomach and esophageal cancer. This concern has even led to a major recall.

What is Valsartan?

Valsartan medication, also sold under brand name Diovan, is used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and heart attack consequences. The drug is part of a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) which initiate a mechanism that causes the blood vessels in the body to relax. These medications also help the kidneys remove excess water and salt – which may also help lower blood pressure.

Valsartan is the generic form of the drug, and is manufactured by a number of companies, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Major Pharmaceuticals, and more. Valsartan was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults, as well as in children age six and up.

Are There Impurities in Valsartan?

In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that several types of valsartan were being recalled, due to concerns that the products contained nitrosamine impurities. These valsartan impurities reportedly include probable carcinogens N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) as well as potential carcinogen N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA).

These nitrosamine carcinogens are environmental contaminants that may appear in water as well as certain foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain vegetables. Although these are the most expected sources of contamination, the FDA notes that these contaminants may also be generated during pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

According to the FDA’s investigation, the impurities in valsartan and other ARBs may be generated when the active pharmaceutical ingredients for the medications are manufactured. The impurities may also occur if solvents are being reused in manufacturing processes. Manufacturer Mylan is being accused of poor quality control in this valsartan contamination recall.

Because the reported impurities reportedly stem from the active ingredient manufacturer, they have quickly spread to include hundreds of lots of ARBs from numerous manufacturers and repackaging companies.

So far, the brand name versions of valsartan, Avapro and Diovan, have not yet been recalled. The FDA maintains a list of recalled ARBs on its website.

Can Valsartan Impurities Cause Intestinal Cancer?

Unfortunately, anyone who took a valsartan drug that was contaminated with NDMA and other impurities may be at an increased risk of developing cancer. Although the FDA is currently evaluating the risk the contamination poses, patients who took impure valsartan have an increased risk of developing cancer due to their exposure to carcinogens.

Valsartan impurities like NDMA can lead to the development of various types of cancer including colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and even intestinal cancer.

Intestinal cancer is another name for cancer which affects the colon, also called the large intestine. This track of intestines is one of the final parts of the digestive system.

How do valsartan impurities affect me?Unfortunately, early intestinal cancer may not provide symptoms in its early stages. Because of this, doctors recommend regular screening for at-risk consumers, including people over the large of 50, people with a family history of colon cancer, and people with a history of polyps – small growths which can turn to cancer if not removed.

Most people who develop intestinal cancer will have a common similar symptom. This symptom is pain in the stomach area, but it is easy for this to be ignored as a sign of another medical condition or something that isn’t serious enough to get medical attention.

This symptom can also vary in terms of how the person feels after eating. This pain can feel like a cramp before or after a person eats a meal. Ultimately, if that tumor gets worse it could turn into an intestinal blockage.

In some of these cases, this leads to a hole that forms in the wall of the intestine. A person who has this condition might experience nausea, pain, and vomiting. The tumor could even bleed into the intestine and cause additional pain.

A few different kinds of doctors might be involved in a case of suspected intestinal cancer. This includes a radiation oncologist, a surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist, or a gastroenterologist. Other specialists might be involved in this process, too.

Treatment Options

As soon as a person is diagnosed with intestinal cancer, the treatment options will depend on your overall health, the stage of the cancer at the time it’s caught, and your overall preferences.

A diagnosis of intestinal cancer can catch you off guard and mean a lot of changes in your life, it can be easy to overlook the possibility that this cancer could have been caused by taking contaminated valsartan. Valsartan impurities could be dangerous and lead to a diagnosis of cancer.

In advanced stages, intestinal cancer can result in a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, other stool changes, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, gas, cramps, weakness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms will reportedly vary on the cancer’s size and location.

Consumers who took valsartan that was contaminated may be at future risk for intestinal and other types of cancer. While the FDA evaluates the risk of taking the contaminated drugs, consumers may want to be vigilant of any symptoms that arise and speak to a doctor about any concerns.

Filing a Valsartan Lawsuit

A growing number of valsartan users are coming forward with allegations of complications directly caused by valsartan exposure.

If you or someone you love has suffered from these or other complications after using a valsartan drug that may have been contaminated, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by cancer or other complications, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

If you developed colorectal, esophageal, intestinal, kidney, liver, pancreatic, prostate, or stomach cancer after taking valsartan in 2015 or later, you may benefit from joining a free valsartan lawsuit investigation. Fill out the FREE form on this page for more information.

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