What’s the problem with some batches of valsartan?
Prescription high blood pressure medicines often contain valsartan. This compound is widely used and very effective. However, American companies outsourced valsartan to manufacturing firms in China and India. Foreign companies do not have the same oversight as American manufacturers, but they are cheaper. So naturally American pharmaceutical firms obtained valsartan from the lowest bidders. The valsartan from these Chinese and Indian companies contained two dangerous chemicals:
- N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
- N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)
NDMA and NDEA are both carcinogens to humans. That means they can cause cancer. NDEA, for example, is used to make rocket fuel. There is extensive research that shows these chemicals cause serious damage to the human body. A later section of this article will cover all the potential side effects. Expiration dates on the dangerous valsartan medicines range from May 2019 to March 2021.
CBS News reports on the Valsartan recall:
Potential side effects & cancers from recalled valsartan
Colon and intestinal cancer
The side effects of colon and intestinal cancer treatments can be devastating. Victims of intestinal and colon cancer may go through extreme nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, hand and foot syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and mucositis during treatment.
Liver tumors
Liver tumors are often only detected in late stages and frequently result in death. Research suggests there is a higher risk of liver cancer among people who take valsartan. If your family lost a loved one that used valsartan and developed liver cancer, you should consider joining the valsartan cancer recall lawsuit.
Stomach cancer
Contaminated valsartan has been linked to stomach cancer. The cancerous chemicals that tainted valsartan are known causes of stomach cancer. If you lost a loved one from stomach cancer after using valsartan, we highly suggest you consider joining the valsartan class action lawsuit.
Kidney cancer
Taking a valsartan product that contains NDMA or NDEA may also be linked to kidney cancer.
Companies involved in the valsartan recall
As of December 31, 2018, these are all the companies covered by the FDA recall. As you can see, the Valsartan recall was wide-ranging and covered many different products by many different companies.
- A-S Medication Solutions LLC (Teva/Actavis & Prinston/Solco)
- Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
- AvKARE (Teva/Actavis)
- Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc. (Teva/Actavis)
- H J Harkins Company Inc. dba Pharma Pac (Prinston/Solco)
- Hetero Labs, Inc. labeled as Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Northwind Pharmaceuticals (Teva/Actavis)
- NuCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Prinston/Solco)
- Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Hetero/Camber)
- Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc. labeled as Solco Healthcare LLC
- RemedyRepack Inc. (Prinston/Solco)
- RemedyRepack, Inc. (Hetero/Camber)
- RemedyRepack, Inc. (Torrent)
- Teva Pharmaceuticals labeled as Major Pharmaceuticals
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA labeled as Actavis
- Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited
Potential compensation for valsartan cancer victims
Medical bills
Victims of valsartan may be able to recover money for medical bills if the valsartan cancer recall lawsuits are successful. Cancer treatments generally require chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgeries. All treatment options for cancer are expensive. Many families may have taken on incredible amounts of debt to fight cancer.
Lost wages
A defective product lawyer can help you obtain lost wages after an injury. If you missed time from work because of cancer, the valsartan cancer recall lawsuit may be able to help. It doesn’t take much missed time from work to devastate a family’s finances. Lost wages are one form of compensation your valsartan injury lawyer will consider in your settlement.
Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering damages are regularly a large chunk of personal injury settlements – the valsartan cancer recall lawsuit is no different. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries can take a toll on a cancer victim’s mental and physical health. The law allows personal injury victims to recover damages for pain and suffering for all that you went through.
Loss of a loved one
Unfortunately, the reality of cancer is this: many people don’t survive. Families that lost a loved one from cancer after using valsartan, should talk with a valsartan injury lawyer about joining the valsartan cancer recall lawsuit. Families that lost a loved one may be entitled to a settlement if valsartan is proved to be the cause of cancer.
Talk to us about the valsartan cancer recall lawsuit
If you or a family member took valsartan and developed cancer, contact us today for your free consultation. Since 1985, Woods and Woods has assisted injured people who need to fight major pharmaceutical corporations.
Our attorneys help people nationwide. We also partner with a network of other national law firms which fight pharmaceutical companies. Together, we use our strengths to get clients the results they deserve.
