Dallas Valsartan Attorneys

Valsartan is a popular drug used to treat individuals with high blood pressure as well as other heart conditions.

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall on Valsartan as some batches of the drug made in China were found to be contaminated with a chemical that could potentially cause cancer or liver damage. Since this initial discovery, the FDA has announced numerous recalls on products containing Valsartan.

The defective drug claims attorneys of The Benton Law Firm are dedicated to helping those who have been taken advantage of by negligent companies who place profit above all else – including your well-being. Allow us to help you right the wrongs done against you.

If you or someone you love has developed cancer as a result of taking Valsartan, contact The Benton Law Firm at (214) 777-7777 to set up a FREE legal consultation. Our experienced Dallas Valsartan attorneys can help you investigate your situation and determine whether you might have a valid claim for a potential drug-related injury.

About Valsartan

Valsartan is the generic component of hyper antihypertensive drugs that can be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The drug is also prescribed to individuals who have suffered from heart failure and left ventricular failure after a heart attack.

As an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), Valsartan works by essentially blocking the hormone that causes constriction of the blood vessels. Valsartan has been widely used because of its effectiveness in comparison to other drugs known as ACE inhibitors.

The drug was developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Novartis and was approved by the FDA in 1996. The drug was originally sold under the name Diovan before the company lost its patent and it began to be marketed under the generic Valsartan.

After the original patent expired in 2012 a number of other companies began to make their own version of the drug.

The Issue With Valsartan

The issue with Valsartan was first brought to light in 2018 when Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, a leading manufacturer of Valsartan, first discovered during quality control tests that its product was contaminated.

The company’s Valsartan compound had been contaminated with the dangerous chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The contaminate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancers including liver, kidney, colorectal, stomach, bladder, or pancreatic cancer.

It was Zhejiang Huahai who initially alerted other pharmaceutical companies and safety agencies about the contamination. After the FDA was informed, the agency recalled all potentially affected batches of Valsartan.

Alongside this particular NDMA contamination, several other contaminated Valsartan products have been produced by two other pharmaceutical wholesalers:

• Mylan Pharmaceutical Company
• Hetero Labs Limited (India)

While not all Valsartan products have been affected, it would be a wise choice to regularly check the FDA website for up-to-date information on the manufacturers who have had their products recalled.

As of now, some of the pharmaceutical companies who have worked with wholesalers that have had their Valsartan products recalled include:

• Acetris Health
• A-S Medication Solutions
• American Health Packaging
• Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.
• AvKARE
• Bryant Rank Prepack
• Hetero Labs, Inc.
• HJ Harkins Company
• Northwind Pharmaceuticals
• NuCare Pharmaceuticals
• Preferred Pharmaceuticals
• RemedyRepack Inc.
• Solco Healthcare
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited

To learn more about your legal rights and to see if you have a valid claim, contact the Valsartan lawsuit attorneys of The Benton Law Firm right now at (214) 777-7777 for a FREE case evaluation.

Common Side Effects of Valsartan & NDMA Exposure

While using Valsartan, it is important to take note of any unwanted effects and to check in with your doctor right away to avoid further health complications. Common side effects that should be closely monitored include:

• Blurry vision
• Cough
• Severe nausea
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Fever
• Fainting
• Flu-like symptoms
• Palpitations

While the previously mentioned Valsartan side effects should be taken seriously and carefully monitored to ensure your health, it is ultimately the damages caused by exposure to NDMA that we are most concerned about.

The chemical is not only a carcinogen but can also be poisonous at high levels. There have been several reported cases of individuals suffering from internal bleeding and severe liver damage after taking a high dose of NDMA.

It is believed that Valsartan contaminated with NDMA was on the market for several years before the discovery and accompanying recalls. Because of this, users were likely exposed to NDMA continuously for years.

Symptoms of NDMA overexposure can include:

• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Enlarged liver
• Reduced function of the liver, kidneys, and/or lungs

Long-term exposure to NDMA has been shown to increase the risk of developing certain serious health issues and cancers including:

• Liver fibrosis
• Scarring
• Severe liver damage
• Liver cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Colorectal cancer

If you have taken Valsartan for years, it is in your best interest to seek out medical attention to determine whether you have suffered any serious damage. Alongside being properly treated for your injuries, the medical documentation secured from your hospital visits and treatment can be used to prove that you are suffering from the toxic effects of exposure to Valsartan and NDMA.

Can I File a Claim?

Individuals who believe they have suffered a Valsartan-related injury should seek out legal counseling immediately to determine if they have a valid claim. You may potentially have a valid claim if:

• You were prescribed Valsartan by a doctor.
• You have suffered from any of the following types of cancers or injuries:
  • Liver cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Liver injury
• You used the Valsartan product exactly as prescribed.

Depending on the specific circumstances of your claim, you may be able to pursue recovery through either an individual personal injury lawsuit or a class action lawsuit.

Contact The Benton Law Firm today at (214) 777-7777 if you or a loved one has taken contaminated Valsartan and have been diagnosed with cancer. Our trustworthy team can successfully handle your Valsartan injury claim.

What to Do If You Have Taken Valsartan

If you have suffered any of the side effects previously mentioned, it is vital that you seek out medical care to uncover whether your injuries are a result of your Valsartan use or some other health issue.

Before you stop taking the drug, ask your doctor first if it is safe. Deciding to stop treatment on your own can lead to bigger health issues. Make sure to get your doctor’s approval first. They may be able to offer you other options.

If you are taking Valsartan, it is recommended that you:

• Closely monitor the FDA website for updates on the Valsartan recall list. New batches of Valsartan are frequently noted as contaminated.
• You will want to secure the medical treatment needed for the damages you have suffered.
• Gather medical, insurance, and any out-of-pocket statements related to the injuries suffered.
• Make sure to keep your medication including the bottle, packaging, and any instructions provided to you. This can be used as evidence for your claim. Do NOT throw out your Valsartan.
• Seek out quality representation from an experienced pharmaceutical product liability attorney who is familiar with defective drug claims.

Compensation in a Valsartan Lawsuit

If you have suffered damages as a result of defective medication, you are generally entitled to seek out financial recovery. At The Benton Law Firm, we are committed to securing you a full and fair settlement so that you can begin healing. We will not accept just any settlement and will fight diligently against these negligent pharmaceutical companies to help you secure the justice and financial recovery you need.

Our attorneys will seek the following damages for you:

1. Medical Expenses – Covers current and future medical expenses related to your Valsartan injuries.
2. Pain and Suffering – Covers physical and mental damages suffered.
3. Lost Wages and Future Earnings – Helps victims to recover lost wages because of their inability to work. This covers present and future earnings.
4. Economic Losses – Covers out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury.
5. Loss of Consortium – Covers injuries that affect the relationships victims have with loved ones including children and spouse.
6. Wrongful Death Damages – If the damages your loved one suffered caused them to lose their life, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.

Defective Drug Lawsuit Attorneys You Can Trust

When you choose The Benton Law Firm, you are choosing a team of dedicated lawyers who go above and beyond to serve their clients. We understand how devastating it can be to suffer serious physical and emotional damages because of another party’s inexcusable negligence, that’s why we strive to offer meaningful and compassionate legal care.

Allow us to support you if you are suffering from cancer as a result of taking Valsartan.

We will work with a supporting team of medical professionals, investigators, researchers, and others to thoroughly investigate your claim and get you quality results. Together we will hold these pharmaceutical companies accountable for the harm they have caused you.

Contact us right now at (214) 777-7777 or online for a FREE case evaluation with one of our Valsartan lawsuit attorneys.