The ingredient valsartan is a component in different drugs that control high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart failure. But there’s something else it has been linked to: cancer.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall of drugs with valsartan to healthcare professionals and patients. Their investigation began in July after lab tests found that some of these medications were contaminated with an “impurity,” N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, which poses a potential cancer risk based on those tests.
What to know about NDMA
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers NDMA to be a possible carcinogen. Formerly used in the production of rocket fuel, NDMA is an unintended byproduct of chlorination of wastewater. The EPA also states that NDMA is “a drinking water contaminant of concern because of its miscibility with water, as well as its carcinogenicity and toxicity.”
You don’t need to take a lot to be at risk.
According to a recent article on CNN.com, “The FDA is particularly concerned about this issue because, unlike most impurities in drugs, ‘genotoxic impurities’ — the chemical class that NDMA is in — have the potential to ‘cause harm at very low levels.’ “
These drugs have the potential to do significant harm to a person’s health. Here’s another quote from the same CNN article:
To get a sense of what taking one of these tainted drugs could mean, FDA scientists estimated that if 8,000 people took the highest dose of valsartan (320 milligrams) from the recalled batches every day for four years, there may be one additional case of cancer.
Other independent studies have estimated 1 in 1,100 additional cases of cancer.
It can lead to multiple types of cancer.
Valsartan is particularly toxic to the liver, but it can affect other organs as well. Those who have taken it could be at risk for the following types of cancer:
– Liver cancer
– Colorectal cancer
– Kidney or renal cancer
It takes about a year for these tumors to develop.
Talk to a Memphis Valsartan Recall Lawyer.
The best way to find out if you have a case is to speak with an experienced lawyer. Call the offices of Darrell Castle & Associates to speak with a dangerous drugs lawyer Memphis, TN families trust and get legal help for your pharmaceutical injury case. As a Memphis valsartan recall lawyer, I’m committed to getting justice for those whose health has been compromised. If you have taken valsartan for at least 30 consecutive days, you could be entitled to compensation. We don’t get paid a thing unless you win. Contact us here or at (901) 327-1212 to start the conversation today.