In July, a Louisiana man filed a lawsuit against several drug manufacturers, alleging that their valsartan products caused him to develop valsartan prostate cancer.

The plaintiff, Jon K., filed his complaint against several pharmaceutical manufacturers: Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co., Prinston Pharmaceutical, Solco Healthcare, Aurobindo Pharma, along with various subsidiaries.

According to the valsartan lawsuit, Jon began taking generic valsartan at the direction of his doctor to treat high blood pressure back in 2008 and continued this usage through about 2018.

Jon had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2006. After treatment, his cancer went into remission. However, in June 2018, he was diagnosed with recurrent prostate cancer, which had unfortunately metastasized to his bones.

Jon claims that his ingestion of contaminated valsartan (which had been subject to a valsartan recall by the FDA) caused him to redevelop and metastasize into bone cancer. This has significantly lowered his chance of survival, he claims, as a direct result of taking contaminated valsartan products.

Basics of Valsartan

Valsartan, also sold under the brand name Diovan, is a popular blood pressure (hypertension) medication. It is intended to help stave off negative effects of high blood pressure, such as stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.

Valsartan is a kind of medication known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which works to relax the blood vessels and therefore lower blood pressure.

Valsartan Complications

Any medication will come with the risk of certain side effects, and valsartan is no exception. However, valsartan has also been linked with some problems which consumers weren’t warned about.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked three manufacturers of generic valsartan drugs to issue a voluntary recall of these products from the U.S. market due to an impurity found in valsartan called N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. NDMA is considered a “probable human carcinogen”—that is, a substance capable of causing cancer in humans.

In this 2019 lawsuit, a valsartan patient links the medication with valsartan prostate cancer.

Filing a Valsartan Side Effects Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has taken valsartan and has since suffered from severe side effects, such as valsartan prostate cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these 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, especially while dealing with a cancer diagnosis or other serious complications, 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.

The 2019 Valsartan Prostate Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:19-cv-15648-RBK-JS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.