Omaha Valsartan Recall Lawyer

Omaha Attorneys for Valsartan Toxic Exposure Cases

In July 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began issuing hundreds of recalls for the popular high blood pressure and heart failure drug, Valsartan. Investigations are currently ongoing. A voluntary recall began because this generic drug was found to possibly contain the human carcinogen NDMA.

If you or a loved one has taken this drug and have suffered as a result of the toxic exposure, our Valsartan recall lawyers are here for you. We understand that this situation can be overwhelming and we are dedicated to fighting for your rights. Read on to learn more about the Valsartan recall and how our experienced Omaha attorneys can help.

What Is Valsartan?

Millions of adults in the United States suffer from high blood pressure. Valsartan is a generic component of commonly prescribed medications that are used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. Usually, in tablet form, physicians occasionally prescribe it to people who have type II diabetes or who have suffered from a heart attack.

Valsartan is the generic name of the drug Diovan. In 2017, more than 10 billion pills containing the drug were sold worldwide. Generally, individuals who suffer from high blood pressure take one pill daily and those taking it for heart failure take two.

The drug works by preventing the action of the hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. While generic drugs are supposed to be of equal safety and quality to the brand-name version, this is not the case with Valsartan. Recently, there have been several recalls of Valsartan due to contamination with a potential carcinogen.

The affected batches were found to contain N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a chemical that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. As a result, many patients who have been taking Valsartan for years are now being advised by their doctors to switch to alternative medications.

This is not the first time that a generic drug has been recalled due to contamination. In 2018, the blood pressure medication Losartan was also recalled due to NDMA contamination. These recalls highlight the importance of rigorous testing and quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry.

What Are the Dangers Associated With Valsartan?

The Chinese drug manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical released a statement that N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) had been discovered in their generic Valsartan products. NDMA is a carcinogen, a cancer-causing compound, that can be linked to:

• Liver cancer

• Kidney cancer

• Gastric cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Stomach cancer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following information on NDMA:

• It is a highly toxic, organic chemical compound

• It is created through an unintentional chemical reaction during the manufacturing process

• The drug appears as a yellow, oily liquid

• It breaks down quickly

• Entry into the body can occur by breathing, eating, or drinking

• The majority of the compound is metabolized through the liver and excreted through the lungs and urine

In addition to the cancers mentioned above, long-term exposure to NDMA is associated with nasal, lung, gastric, and colorectal cancers and could cause cancerous conditions in all organs.

Individuals experiencing short-term side effects may develop fever, nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, abdominal cramps, jaundice, or reduced functioning of internal organs.

If you experience any of those symptoms or are concerned about your medication, contact your doctor as soon as possible; however, the FDA reminds patients to continue taking all current medications until their pharmacist provides a replacement or their doctor prescribes different medication because it can be dangerous to abruptly stop taking prescribed drugs.

Who Is Affected by the Recall?

Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical supplied the impure medication to drug companies in the United States, including Major Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., and Solco Healthcare, which then distributed them. Other manufacturers include Zhejiang Tianya Phara in China and Hetero Labs Limited in India.

As of October 24, 2018, here is a list of some of the Valsartan products that are under recall, separated by company:

Teva Pharmaceuticals labeled as Major Pharmaceuticals:

• Valsartan 80mg tablets

• Valsartan 160mg tablets

Prinston Pharmaceuticals Inc. labeled as Solco Healthcare LLC:

• Valsartan 40mg tablets, 30-count bottle

• Valsartan 80mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 160mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 320mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 80mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

Teva Pharmaceuticals Inc. labeled as Solco Healthcare LLC:

• Valsartan 40mg tablets, 30-count bottle

• Valsartan 40mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 80mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 80mg tablets, 1000 count bottle

• Valsartan 160mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 160mg tablets, 1000 count bottle

• Valsartan 320mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan 320mg tablets, 500 count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 80mg/12.5 mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

AvKARE (Teva/Actavis):

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 80mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/25mg tablets, 90-count bottle

RemedyRepack Inc. (Prinston/Solco):

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 320mg/12.5mg tablets, 90-count bottle

• Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 160mg/12.5 mg tablets, 90-count bottle

Other companies with issued recalls are:

• Bryan Ranch Prepack Inc. (Teva/Actavis)

• H J Harkins Company Inc. dba Pharma Pac (Prinston/Solco)

• Northwind Pharmaceuticals (Teva/Actavis)

• Hetero Labs, Inc. labeled as Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• NurCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Prinston/Solco)

• RemedyRepack, Inc. (Hetero/Camber)

• AvKARE (Hetero/Camber)

• Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Hetero/Camber)

• Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited

• RemedyRepack, Inc. (Torrent)

For a complete collection of all recalls, take a look at the FDA’s list. Not all Valsartan products are being recalled. The FDA also has a list of medications that are not currently included.

What Can You Do If Your Medication Has Been Recalled?

If your Valsartan medication has been recalled, there are several actions you can take:

• Contact your doctor and pharmacist: They can provide you with further instructions and potentially switch you to a different medication or provide a replacement from a different manufacturer.
• Keep taking your medication as directed (unless otherwise instructed by a medical professional): Abruptly stopping prescribed medication without consulting with a doctor can be dangerous.
• Check the FDA’s list of recalled products: The FDA is regularly updating its list of recalled Valsartan products, so it is important to stay informed. You can also check if your medication is affected by using the NDC number on the packaging.
• Monitor your health closely: If you have been taking a recalled Valsartan product for an extended period of time, it is important to monitor your health closely and report any unusual side effects to your doctor.
• Consider alternative methods of controlling blood pressure: In addition to medication, there are also lifestyle changes that can help manage blood pressure, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol consumption. Consult with your doctor for personalized recommendations.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer if you have experienced adverse effects: If you have experienced severe side effects from a recalled Valsartan product, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer who specializes in pharmaceutical litigation. They can assist you in pursuing a Valsartan lawsuit to seek compensation for any damages.

How Can an Omaha Valsartan Recall Lawyer Help?

Our attorneys are currently investigating claims on behalf of clients who have been affected by the side effects of ingesting this known carcinogen. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or lost a loved one after taking Valsartan, contact us as soon as possible. You may be qualified for monetary recovery if you meet the following qualifications:

• You’ve taken Valsartan for at least 30 days between 2014 to now
• You took Valsartan at least one year before developing cancer
• Your cancer diagnosis occurred no earlier than 2015

Because of the popularity of this drug, there could be tens of thousands of cancer cases. We can provide you with the legal representation you deserve, so you can recover compensation for any Valsartan-related medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more.

Reach out to our law firm to discuss the specifics of your case during a free consultation. An experienced personal injury attorney will review your case and help determine if you have a valid claim against the manufacturers of Valsartan. Our team has extensive experience in handling cases involving dangerous drugs, and we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients.

Don’t wait any longer, contact us today to start seeking justice for the harm caused by Valsartan. With our help, you can hold the responsible parties accountable and receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t let Big Pharma get away with putting profits over people’s health.

To stay up-to-date on the FDA’s investigation, click here.