The manufacturers of Valsartan are facing lawsuits after the drug was recalled for causing injury in some patients.
People visit doctors and take medication when they are trying to recover from certain medical conditions. One such drug, Valsartan, was intended to treat patients with high blood pressure and heart failure. However, certain lots of Valsartan may actually injure patients instead of help them, as outlined in an FDA recall in 2018. Today, anyone who became injured as a result of taking the drug should speak to a Boca Raton product liability lawyer for help claiming the damages they deserve.
Why was Valsartan Recalled?
The FDA recalled certain lots of Valsartan after finding that they were contaminated with nitrosamine. Nitrosamine has the potential to lead to tumor growth in the liver and other organs in laboratory animals. Nitrosamine is a known carcinogenic in humans, as well. Unlike many impurities that are sometimes found in drugs, nitrosamines have the potential to cause great injury, even at very low levels. The FDA recalled these drugs after regulators in Europe had made the same discovery.
Injuries Associated with Valsartan
Cancer is the main form of injury associated with lots of Valsartan that have been contaminated with nitrosamine. The types of cancer a person may suffer from after taking the drug include:
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lower esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
In addition to the above cancers, contaminated Valsartan has been linked to other injuries, as well. Kidney failure, liver failure, low white blood cell count, and angioedema, or the swelling of certain bodily tissues, have also been linked to the drug.
Lawsuits Involving Valsartan
Individuals filing a product liability lawsuit after taking Valsartan claim the manufacturer showed willful disregard when creating the drug. Nitrosamine can develop when certain chemicals in the drug are combined, if the medication is not carefully monitored and controlled. In the case of Valsartan, the problem was not discovered for a number of years and was only detected by random testing.
Individuals that were prescribed Valsartan by their doctor may have a valid lawsuit if they were diagnosed with cancer after taking the drug. Through a lawsuit, individuals can recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and funeral and burial expenses, in the event that Valsartan caused the death of a patient.
Our Product Liability Lawyers in Florida Can Help with Your Case
If you or someone you love was harmed as a result of taking Valsartan, our Boca Raton product liability attorneys at Ged Lawyers, LLP, can assist with your case. We know how to hold manufacturers liable when they do not take proper care and will negotiate for a fair settlement or take them to trial when they do not pay the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (561) 995-1966 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
