Valsartan Lawsuit FAQs

Have you or a loved one received a cancer diagnosis after taking valsartan or some combination of valsartan? Have you received a diagnosis of liver failure? You might have taken the medication after a heart attack, or to treat high blood pressure, or heart failure? If you have, you would likely benefit from filing a personal injury lawsuit with an experienced Charlotte lawyer. Contact the Charlotte personal injury lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC as soon as possible to schedule your free initial consultation.

There are many side effects that are associated with taking the medication Valsartan. These symptoms include the following:

• Vomiting
• Swelling
• Headaches
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Sinusitis
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Flu-like symptoms
• Symptoms associated with a cold
• Blurry vision
• Upper respiratory infections
• Swollen lips or eyes
• Skin itching or rash
• Back pain
• Joint pain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting

NDMA can be extremely dangerous. Short-term exposure to NDMA can cause liver damage, liver scarring, and fibrosis. Long-term exposure to NDMA could increase the risk of tumors in the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The chemical NDMA was once manufactured in the U.S. for commercial use, but it is currently only manufactured in the United States for the purpose of research. NDMA used to be a key component in jet fuel, copolymer softeners, and additives to lubricants.

When the FDA recalled products contaminated with valsartan from the marketplace, at least 22 other countries had already noted problems with the chemical. A Chinese drug manufacturer removed the chemicals from pharmaceutical drugs. In 2018, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) released several reports of issues with products made with Valsartan after they found NDMA in numerous drugs.

The EMA clearly stated that the chemical NDMA was a "probable human carcinogen" that was known to cause cancer in human beings. Officials in the United Kingdom also decided to recall drugs tainted with Valsartan. Their government asked pharmacies across the U.K. to pull the contaminated products from their shelves to ensure that patients cannot use them.

Valsartan stays in the body's system for about 33 hours in typical cases. This time frame also includes Exforge, Prexxartan, Diovan, Byvalson, Entresto, Cozaar, and Losartan.

Valsartan is used for patients who have heart failure and high blood pressure. The ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) in the drug stop blood vessels from tightening. As an effect, the drug lowers a person's blood pressure as it relaxes the blood vessels. In turn, the person receives an increase of oxygenated-rich blood supply to the heart.

Doctors usually prescribe Valsartan to patients who have high blood pressure or to treat heart failure. On the other hand, Valsartan Hydrochlorothiazide has an additional ingredient that is a diuretic prescribed to lower blood pressure. The extra ingredient helps the body get rid of excess amounts of water and salt. Diovan HCT is a brand name form of Valsartan that combines the ARB with a powerful diuretic.

As the FDA announced in 2018, the chemical NDMA contains carcinogenic organic compounds that have been known to cause cancer in animals and humans. The director of the FDA stated, "we have carefully assessed the valsartan-containing medication sold in the United States, and we have found that the valsartan sold by these specific companies does not meet our safety standards. This is why we have asked these companies to take immediate action to protect patients."