Philadelphia Valsartan Lawsuit Attorney
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that millions of Americans take the medication valsartan to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. In July of 2018, the FDA announced a voluntary recall of various drugs containing valsartan, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This recall was based on contamination of an impurity in valsartan of the potentially cancer-causing chemical known as N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. Our Philadelphia injury attorneys offer free consultations, call Ciccarelli Law Offices at (215) 228-0100 to schedule an appointment.
Background on Valsartan
NDMA, the same potentially cancer-causing carcinogen that has been at the center of the Zantac recalls, is also causing serious problems with valsartan. Various manufacturers of valsartan have a recall of these prescription medications, including Teva Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, Actavis, A-S Medication Solutions, AvKARE, Bryant Rank Prepack, Camber Pharmaceuticals, NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Prinston Pharmaceutical, RemedyRepack Inc., and more.
A spokesperson from the FDA has said that the presence of NDMA in valsartan was “unexpected.” The FDA has said that they believe the contamination occurred during the manufacturing process of the medication. The drugs recalled that contain valsartan include the following:
- Amlodipine and valsartan
- Amlodipine, valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Valsartan is the generic version of the prescription medication Diovan.
Cancers associated with Valsartan
The FDA has said that the daily safe dosage of NDMA in humans is only 96 nanograms. However, the levels of NDMA found in some valsartan medications far exceeds the daily safe limit. Studies have shown that NDMA is associated with the following types of cancer:
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Intestinal cancer (including colon or rectal cancer)
- Esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Leukemia
- Prostate cancer
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
Criteria + Litigation Updates
Those who have been diagnosed with any of the cancers listed above may have a viable case if they had started taking valsartan at least one year before their cancer diagnosis. In addition, those who have sustained a valsartan injury, including the cancers listed above, must have taken the drug either alone or in combination with another medication for at least 30 days between 2014 and the present.
If you are unsure of whether or not you qualify to be a part of a lawsuit against the manufacturers of valsartan, you need to speak to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. These cases are still ongoing and, as of February of 2019, multi-district litigation (MDL) was established to handle these cases in federal court in New Jersey.
As of earlier in 2020, there were more than 240 lawsuits pending in the MDL. These cases are currently not considered class action. The establishment of an MDL allows each case to remain separate, thus giving more bargaining power to each plaintiff.
Contact a Philadelphia Valsartan Lawsuit Lawyer
If you or somebody you love has taken valsartan and been diagnosed with one of the cancers listed above, contact the team at the Ciccarelli Law Offices today. Our Philadelphia mass tort attorneys will conduct a full investigation into your case so we can secure the compensation you deserve, including coverage of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more. Schedule your free case evaluation by calling our Philly office at (215) 228-0100 or fill out our online contact form.