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New York Valsartan Attorneys

Valsartan Lawsuits

Valsartan is a chemical compound found in most of the world’s blood pressure medications. As an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), valsartan has been used to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow for years in patients with high blood pressure. Unfortunately, multiple batches of valsartan (also known as Diovan) have been contaminated with a human carcinogen, prompting the FDA to issue a series of recalls throughout 2018 and 2019.

If you or your loved one have been taking a valsartan-based medication for blood pressure, it’s recommended that you speak with a doctor as soon as possible. At Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, we can help patients who have developed cancer and other serious injuries as a result of using contaminated valsartan drugs. As dangerous drug attorneys with over 30 years of experience serving New York, it’s our goal to help injury victims seek justice from negligent pharmaceutical companies.

Serving Clients Across the Country

Call (212) 684-1880 to schedule a free case evaluation today.

FDA Issues Recalls As Contamination Grows

After discovering that multiple medicines with valsartan contained a chemical impurity, the FDA issued a voluntary recall for certain valsartan batches in July 2018. The chemical impurity is known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals, with scientists recently affirming that it is a potential human carcinogen. NDMA was also discovered in two other antiotensin II receptor blockers, losartan and irbesartan.

Used in the production of rocket fuel, NDMA is dangerous and should never be included in medications for sick and injured patients. However, because the pharmaceutical companies failed to provide adequate oversight for overseas drug manufacturers, over 1,114 lots of valsartan and other related ARB medication have now been contaminated with NDMA (as of June 2019.)

Seeking Restitution for Dangerous Drug Injuries

Thousands of people have come forward to file dangerous drug lawsuits against Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals and Indian company Hetero Labs Limited, as well as the American drug companies that used and sold affected valsartan batches. In addition to cancer, contamined valsartan can cause liver fibrosis, and increase the risk of contracting lung, liver, and kidney tumors. Because millions of Americans take blood pressure drugs each year, it’s estimated that up to 3 million people may be at risk of NDMA exposure.

Here are the side effects for NDMA exposure:

  • Dizzy spells
  • Headaches
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Lung and kidney failure
  • Jaundice

If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms above, speak with your physician as soon as possible. To take legal action, look no further than our product liability team here at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP. Committed to protecting our clients’ rights and holding drug companies accountable for negligence, we’ll fight for justice on your behalf.

Do you have a valsartan lawsuit in New York? Call us at (212) 684-1880.