Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that treats high blood pressure, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and other medical conditions. It is believed to improve the health outcomes of people who sustain a heart attack. In December 2018, it was recalled by the FDA because it is believed to contain carcinogens that cause multiple health problems, including kidney and liver tumors and other cancers. There are also other serious side effects. If you believe that you may have developed cancer or other conditions as a result of taking Valsartan, you should consult an experienced product liability attorney. At Moll Law Group, our Valsartan injury lawyers may be able to help you recover damages.
How Valsartan WorksDoctors prescribe Valsartan to treat congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and hypertension, and to improve outcomes after a patient's heart attack. Valsartan relaxes blood vessels, which means that blood flows more easily, and blood pressure is lowered, which can result in fewer serious events like heart attacks and strokes. Valsartan used to be sold under the brand name Diovan, but after the patent expired in 2012, it can be sold as a generic medication.
Common side effects that can occur from Valsartan are dizziness, tiredness, joint and back pain, diarrhea, and low blood pressure.
Liability for Valsartan InjuriesAllegedly, certain carcinogenic chemicals were added to certain Valsartan medications through the manufacturing process overseas. Carcinogens that have been identified in the medication are NDEA and NDMA. NDEA is a known animal carcinogen and suspected human carcinogen, according to the FDA. NDMA is a chemical used to make liquid rock fuel, among other things, and it can cause cancers, as well as liver and kidney tumors. Several Valsartan drugs were recalled at the end of 2018. Teva Pharmaceuticals, for example, recalled all unexpired products containing Valsartan from the United States market.
However, multiple drug makers were affected by the recall, and it is worth looking at the FDA list of recalled medications. Not all Valsartan products contained carcinogens, but it is worth looking at the active ingredients on the label of your blood pressure or hypertension medication and talking to your doctor about whether you should stop taking the drug. It can be important to consult a Valsartan injury attorney about whether you have a basis to bring a product liability lawsuit.
Product Liability TheoriesGenerally, there are three potential actionable defects: manufacturing defects, design defects, and marketing defects. Since carcinogens were added during the manufacturing process to certain Valsartan medications, and they are not found in every specimen of the drug, we would probably pursue a manufacturing defect claim. Manufacturing defects are defects that do not occur in every product but occur in some products during the manufacturing process.
It may be possible for a Valsartan injury lawyer to help a victim sue for injuries caused by carcinogens in Valsartan under theories of strict liability, fraud, breach of warranty, or negligence. One of the critical issues in a product liability case involving dangerous drugs is usually the causal nexus between the drug and the injuries suffered (such as cancer).
Compensation for Valsartan InjuriesIf we are able to establish liability in a product liability lawsuit, an injured consumer may be able to recover compensatory damages. These are damages intended to put you back in the place in which you would have been had you not taken the drug and been injured. They can include both economic and noneconomic losses, such as past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium. If a drug manufacturer knew about the dangerousness of a product and acted with conscious disregard of the danger, it may be possible to recover punitive damages, which are damages meant to punish and deter.
Consult a Valsartan Injury AttorneyIf you developed cancer, tumors, vision loss, or other serious side effects that you believe are linked to your Valsartan use, you may be able to recover damages by bringing a product liability lawsuit. Moll Law Group is a Chicago-based product liability firm that has skillfully handled many product liability cases and understands what must be shown when pursuing a Valsartan claim. Contact us at 312.462.1700 or via our online form.