How many lawsuits have been filed against valsartan?
As of July 2019, there were 88 lawsuits in the litigation. No trial dates have been set, and there have been no settlements or verdicts. The first 10 cases combined in the mass litigation were consumer class action lawsuits seeking reimbursement for people who had purchased tainted valsartan for as long as six years.
Can valsartan cause cancer?
Plaintiffs in the valsartan lawsuits are claiming that their cancer was directly caused by the NDMA in the Valsartan medication they were using. There is significant and reliable scientific evidence linking NDMA consumption to various cancers.
Who manufactures valsartan?
Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. in China and India-based Hetero Labs were among the first companies identified to have manufactured the contaminated valsartan that made its way to the U.S. market. According to lawyers, these two API manufacturers are the main defendants in this litigation.
Which countries have recalled valsartan?
The FDA action came after 22 other countries issued recalls involving 2,300 valsartan batches sent to Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, Poland, Croatia, Lithuania, Greece, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bahrain and Malta.
See more
Is there a lawsuit for valsartan?
Two common claims in the 2022 Valsartan lawsuits are: The pills had a manufacturing defect; and. The pills had improper labeling which failed to warn about the dangers.
Why did they take valsartan off the market?
Valsartan Recalls. In July 2018, the FDA announced a voluntary recall of several drugs containing valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, because of contamination with an impurity, the potentially cancer-causing chemical N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA.
Does valsartan still contain NDMA?
Not all valsartan products contain NDMA, so pharmacists may be able to provide a refill of valsartan medication not affected by the recall, or doctors may prescribe a different medication that treats the same condition.
Is there a black box warning for valsartan?
The drug's label includes a black box warning for fetal toxicity. It indicates pregnant women should not use valsartan. The drug can cause injury or death to the developing fetus. If women become pregnant, they should stop taking the medication as soon as possible.
Is valsartan safe now 2021?
Valsartan is a high blood pressure drug that is considered generally safe and tolerated better by patients than alternative treatments.
Is valsartan back on the market again?
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new generic of Diovan (valsartan). Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that treats high blood pressure and heart failure.
Is valsartan still on recall?
Mylan has recalled all lots of Valsartan-containing products (Valsartan, Valsartan/Amlodipine, and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide), that are within their expiration date....Which Valsartan containing products are affected by the recall?DrugStrengthNDC numberVALSARTAN/HCTZ TABS320/12H435470314098 more rows
What is the safest high blood pressure medication?
Safe medications to use include methyldopa and potentially some diuretics and beta-blockers, including labetalol.
What are the serious side effects of valsartan?
Serious side effects of Diovan include:chest pain,fainting,palpitations,shortness of breath,weight loss,vomiting, and.swelling of the skin, most often around the lips and eyes.
What is replacing valsartan?
Conclusions: Irbesartan is an appropriate substitution for valsartan or losartan.
What happens if I stop taking valsartan?
If you stop taking it suddenly: Don't stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor. Stopping it suddenly may cause your blood pressure to spike. This may increase your chance for a heart attack or stroke. If you don't take it on schedule: Your blood pressure may not improve or may get worse.
Is valsartan hard on your kidneys?
This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
Is valsartan still on recall?
Mylan has recalled all lots of Valsartan-containing products (Valsartan, Valsartan/Amlodipine, and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide), that are within their expiration date....Which Valsartan containing products are affected by the recall?DrugStrengthNDC numberVALSARTAN/HCTZ TABS320/12H435470314098 more rows
Which is stronger valsartan or losartan?
Valsartan may be more effective than losartan at doses of 160 mg or 320 mg daily. One meta-analysis found that 160 mg or 320 mg of valsartan daily is more effective than 100 mg of losartan daily at lowering blood pressure.
Does any pharmaceutical manufacture valsartan in United States?
Camber Pharmaceuticals distributed Hetero's valsartan products in the United States. The FDA added products containing valsartan manufactured by Hetero in August 2018.
What's the difference between losartan and valsartan?
Official answer. The main differences between losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan) are: Losartan has a shorter duration of action (length of time it works for) at lower dosages than valsartan. Research1 indicates losartan lasts less than 24 hours at dosages of 25mg a day and 50mg a day.
How many Valsartan lawsuits are there?
District Court for the District of New Jersey was chosen to oversee the MDL. The 11 cases included ten valsartan class action lawsuits and one individual lawsuit.
What is Valsartan used for?
ARBs help prevent blood vessels from tightening. Valsartan is prescribed for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. It is sold as brand name Diovan and generic valsartan.
What is a carcinogen?
A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in a living thing. Two carcinogens were found in valsartan medications: N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) NDMA causes tumor growth in animals. It was used in the past in rocket fuel manufacturing. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen by U.S. and international regulatory agencies.
How many Valsartan medications have been recalled?
More than 600 medications containing valsartan have been recalled. To see the full list, visit our valsartan recall page.
Why was Valsartan recalled?
They claim the blood pressure medication caused cancer. In one year, 600 lots of valsartan were recalled due to carcinogens in the drug . Thus, manufacturers may face an uphill battle defending themselves against these personal injury claims.
What is the process of merging lawsuits?
Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is another method that courts use to merge lawsuits. Unlike a class action lawsuit, individual cases remain separate in an MDL. However, certain phases of litigation are combined for all the lawsuits. This speeds up the process of trying hundreds of similar cases.
Is Valsartan a settlement?
No valsartan lawsuit settlements or verdicts have been determined. So the range of compensation is still unclear. In general, plaintiffs filing similar lawsuits may seek the following legal damages:
How Much Compensation May Be Available Through a Valsartan Cancer Settlement?
represent individuals throughout the United States who are pursuing lawsuits over a cancer diagnosis that may be linked to side effects of recalled valsartan pills distributed in recent years with a cancer-causing impurity.
What is the effect of valsartan cancer injury?
The effect that the valsartan cancer injury had on the overall physical and mental health or well-being of the plaintiff; The pain, suffering and mental anguish caused by the valsartan cancer injury in the past and which will likely be suffered in the future;
What is the name of the drug that is a carcinogen?
Due to manufacturing problems, a number of different generic drug companies sold pills with contaminated ingredients, which contained N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a known human carcinogen that may lead to the development of: Liver Cancer. Kidney Cancer. Pancreatic Cancer. Colorectal Cancer.
How much NDMA is in Valsartan?
FDA has said it is ‘reasonably safe’ to consume up to .096 micrograms of NDMA per day. FDA test results in 2018 found NDMA levels in some valsartan drugs to range from .3 to 17 micrograms. This means the tainted pills may have contained between 3.1 and 177 times the safe level of NDMA, according to FDA standards.
Why is Valsartan being recalled?
In July 2018, FDA issued a recall of several drugs that contained valsartan to treat high blood pressure. This recall was announced because of the higher risk of certain cancers related to NDMA. However, not all drugs that contain valsartan were named in the FDA recall.
How to prove you took Valsartan?
The easiest way to prove you took a contaminated valsartan drug is to examine your pharmacy records to get the lot number of the drug you took. Then, compare that lot number against the lot numbers on the FDA website to see if your lot was subject to an FDA recall. ( FDA.gov)
What happens if you take a contaminated drug?
After you confirm that you took a contaminated drug, you need to have a diagnosis of digestive tract cancer or liver damage from your doctor. Contact your physician to obtain a copy of the relevant medical records. Or, talk to a personal injury attorney who can help you with this process.
Can Valsartan be sued?
First, understand that not all valsartan drugs are tainted or contaminated. To qualify for a lawsuit, you will need to show you took a contaminated valsartan drug and suffered digestive tract cancer or liver damage.
Is Valsartan a carcinogen?
FDA also conducted further testing on some of the valsartan drugs and determined there was a second carcinogen in some of the drugs. For example, Torrent Pharmaceuticals used valsartan from ZHP in China to produce drugs that had both carcinogens in them.
Does Valsartan meet FDA standards?
According to FDA in 2018, the agency carefully assessed the above drugs containing valsartan and found the valsartan sold by those companies did not meet FDA safety standards. FDA also noted the presence of NDMA in the drugs was a surprise, and was thought to be caused by changes in ways the active ingredient was manufactured.
How many lawsuits against Valsartan?
Lawsuits named 20 valsartan manufacturers and other companies as defendants. As of July 2019, there were 88 lawsuits in the litigation. No trial dates have been set, and there have been no settlements or verdicts.
Why is Valsartan being recalled?
On July 13, 2018, the FDA announced that some companies were issuing valsartan recalls because manufacturers found NDMA in the medications. Certain batches of valsartan medications were manufactured with NDMA. The agency expanded the recall in August 2018 to include 11 U.S. pharmaceutical companies.
How many people take Valsartan?
About 3 million Americans take valsartan-containing medications each year. A large-scale recall of certain generic valsartan blood pressure medications that began in July 2018 led lawyers to investigate claims and file lawsuits on behalf of people who took tainted medication.
Where is NDMA made?
The European Medicines Agency suspects the NDMA contamination stemmed from manufacturing changes made at Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical’s plant in China, which supplies nearly half of all valsartan to the United States.
What to expect from a lawyer for Valsartan?
The lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and tell you what to expect. Once you enter into an agreement, the attorney can prepare and file your valsartan lawsuit.
What is the chemical in valsartan?
In September 2018, the FDA announced that Zhejiang Huahai had found another toxic chemical in the recalled medications — a cancer-causing chemical called N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). A total of 1,114 lots of angiotensin II receptor blockers, including valsartan, losartan and irbesartan, had been recalled as of June 11, 2019, according to the FDA.
Why is it important to contact an attorney?
Because states enforce statutes of limitations on lawsuits, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Some lawsuits include a provision to suspend the statute of limitations.
What Do We Know About the Valsartan Lawsuits?
Several drug companies have voluntarily recalled their blood pressure and heart medication that contains valsartan after it was discovered that the medication might have become contaminated in the Chinese and India manufacturing plants it was being produced.
What is the Purpose of Valsartan?
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), recent heart attacks, and heart failure. The medication is usually available in tablets containing valsartan 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, or 320 mg.
What is Valsartan used for?
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), recent heart attacks , and heart failure. Certain batches of valsartan produced by the Chinese company Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals and the India company Hetero Labs Limited have been contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).
Why should Valsartan be discontinued?
Valsartan should be discontinued upon pregnancy as it can result in fetal toxicity, and cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
What are the symptoms of NDMA overexposure?
Symptoms of NDMA overexposure include headaches; fever; nausea; jaundice; vomiting; abdominal cramps; enlarged liver; reduced function of the liver, kidneys and lungs; and dizziness.
When did Valsartan become contaminated?
It’s believed that the Chinese company’s production of valsartan could have become contaminated with NDMA starting in 2012 after the company changed its manufacturing process.
How to contact Valsartan?
To contact us for a free case evaluation, you can call us at (800) 277-1193. You also can request an evaluation by clicking Free & Confidential Valsartan Evaluation Form. This form will be immediately reviewed by one of our attorneys handling the Valsartan litigation.
Have You Been Injured By Valsartan?
If you have not only received an FDA recall letter for your valsartan medication but also have been diagnosed with cancer or severe liver/kidney damage after taking the drug, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. If a loved one of yours has died due to such injury after taking valsartan products, you may qualify to file a wrongful death suit.
Can I Afford A Valsartan Lawyer? And How Do I Find One?
That is, they will only collect payment if they win you compensation. They normally do not charge upfront fees but simply take a percentage of the settlement as their compensation. Thus, anyone can “afford” to join a valsartan lawsuit. You don’t have to lose out on your rightful compensation due to lack of ability to hire an expensive lawyer.
What to do if Valsartan is not recalled?
If you did not receive a valsartan recall letter, it may be that your version of valsartan was not sourced from a supply contaminated with NDMA. To be sure, however, you should visit the FDA website or talk to your prescribing physician - just in case you didn’t receive a recall letter but should have. And by the same token, check with these same sources of information to double check that a recall letter you did receive was not sent to you by accident.
How long does it take for Valsartan to lower blood pressure?
And you will need to frequently check your blood pressure and/or your kidney function. You should notice a lowering of high blood pressure within two to four weeks of beginning to take the medication, and if you don’t - you should immediately talk to your doctor.
What is the best alternative to Valsartan?
If you aren’t going to switch to a different version of valsartan, then you may need a different ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker.) That gives you seven other possibilities on the market today aside from valsartan. Losartan, irbesartan, and olmesartan are among the most common alternatives.
Is Valsartan a cancer drug?
The risk of cancer from NDMA found in some valsartan is real, and enough to convince the FDA and 21 other nations around the world to take action. Yet, as the lab tests involved high dosages given to rodents, the exact level of risk is an unknown at this point. The NDMA is toxic and increases in toxicity with the dosage level and the longer you use it. NDMA has been shown to cause liver damage in human beings. NDMA occurs naturally and as a result of industrial processing. For example, you will find it in rocket fuel and industrial lubricants and as a byproduct of making rubber and pesticides. There’s little doubt that NDMA is harmful and is rightly labeled a dangerous impurity when found in valsartan drugs.
Is Valsartan HCTZ recalled?
Not all forms of valsartan have been shown to be dangerous, but many have and have, therefore, been recalled by the FDA. In 2018, the FDA recall was issued on various generic forms of valsartan and valsartan HCTZ. The reason was that “impurities” were found to have been in these drugs for years, which have been shown to increase the risk of certain cancers.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Some Valsartan Plaintiffs Seek Class Action Status As MDL Nears 1,100 Cases
June 1, 2022 Author: Daniel Gala Within multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the blood-pressure medications valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan, some plaintiffs are seeking class certifications for multiple class action lawsuits.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Parties Spar Over Release of Testing Info in Valsartan MDL
May 2, 2022 Author: Daniel Gala Federal mass tort litigation over the contamination of the popular blood-pressure medications valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan continues to make its way through contentious pretrial proceedings, with the parties most recently exchanging verbal blows over the release of information relating to early tests of the drugs for contamination. The litigation stems back to July 2018 when the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of several valsartan-containing drugs due to the discovery of a powerful carcinogen known as NDMA.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Valsartan MDL Court Appoints Settlement Counsel
March 14, 2022 Author: Daniel Gala On March 4, the court in multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the blood-pressure drug valsartan issued an order appointing settlement counsel to represent each party in settlement negotiations. “It appearing to the Court that a fair and equitable way to advance settlement negotiations in this Multi-District Litigation [‘MDL’] is to ask each party to nominate settlement counsel to represent it in MDL settlement negotiations conducted by the Settlement Special Masters…each settlement counsel nominated…is appointed formally as such for the corresponding party,” the order states. The court previously had appointed two Settlement Special Masters, both retired judges and current mediators, to oversee settlement negotiations in the MDL, which as of February 15 had 1,054 active cases, making it one of the 20 largest active MDLs in the country. The valsartan MDL stems from the recall of numerous lots of imported drugs found to be contaminated with powerful carcinogens known as nitrosamines.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Parties Spar Over Depositions In Valsartan MDL
January 31, 2022 Author: Daniel Gala With the parties immersed in pretrial proceedings, multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the heart and blood-pressure medication valsartan has seen some recent sparring on the subject of depositions.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Valsartan MDL Special Master Approves Sanctions Against Defendant ZHP
December 13, 2021 Author: Daniel Gala The court-appointed Special Master in multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the blood-pressure medication valsartan has approved sanctions against defendant Zheihang Huahei Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Valsartan MDL Court Sees Flurry of Deposition Notices
October 22, 2021 Author: Daniel Gala In a sign that pretrial discovery is getting underway in earnest, the court in multidistrict litigation (MDL) over contaminated valsartan has seen a flurry of deposition , with dozens filed in October alone, as the parties inform potential witnesses that they are to be interviewed under oath.
Valsartan Lawsuit Update: Valsartan MDL Approaches 900 Active Cases
July 21, 2021 Author: Daniel Gala Federal litigation over the widespread contamination of popular generic blood pressure drugs including valsartan continues to add cases as it moves through pretrial proceedings, expanding by nearly 50 cases in the month from June 15 to July 15, according to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) . The federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), based in the District of New Jersey, included 876 active cases as of mid-July.
