What is Valsartan?
Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug that works by relaxing the blood vessels and preventing constriction, so that blood flow to the heart is not inhibited. Valsartan is commonly used to treat high blood pressure and prevent heart failure. It may be prescribed by itself (sometimes under the brand name Diovan) or as an ingredient in other types of medications.
Ideally, drugs containing Valsartan are intended to help patients manage their blood pressure and heart disease, preventing worst-case scenarios from arising from these conditions. Unfortunately, Valsartan itself may pose a significant and even fatal danger to vulnerable patients.
What are the risks of Valsartan?
In July 2018, the FDA announced a recall of several drugs that contained Valsartan as a key ingredient due to the discovery of a carcinogen (a cancer-causing chemical) in certain batches of the drug. The FDA traced the cancerous Valsartan ingredient to a Chinese pharmaceutical company, and currently speculates that the chemical occurred through an unexpected manufacturing error. In the wake of these recalls, we are bringing Tennessee Valsartan lawsuits.
NDMA, the carcinogen found in faulty batches of Valsartan, is officially classified as a probable cancer-causing substance, and is likely to cause type of cancers such as:
- Stomach cancer
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bladder cancer
How do I know if my prescription drug contained contaminated Valsartan?
The recall of cancer-causing Valsartan affected several U.S. drug manufacturers and repackagers, all of which included the tainted ingredient in some of their medications. These companies include:
- AvKARE
- Remedy Repack
- Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc.
- H.J. Harkins Company, Inc.
- Quality Care Products LLC
- NuCare Pharmaceuticals
- Proficient Rx
- Solco Healthcare
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
If you suspect that your medication contains or contained contaminated Valsartan, call the Tennessee Valsartan lawyers at David Randolph Smith & Associates immediately. Our experienced Nashville drug recall attorneys stand ready to evaluate your case and offer the best advice for the next step in your Tennessee Valsartan lawsuit.
