Valsartan is an oral medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It was originally approved by the FDA in 1996 under the brand name Diovan®. It is now available in both branded and generic forms. Valsartan belongs to a class of drug identified as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) which are designed to prevent the constriction of blood vessels – a process that increases blood pressure.
A contaminant known as N-nitrosodimethylamine(NDMA) has been discovered in some valsartan-containing drugs. NDMA has been studied in animal populations and found to increase the occurrence of cancer in the animals. In light of these studies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies NDMA as a probable human carcinogen which means that it is more likely than not to cause cancer in humans. The studies have raised the specter of an association between NDMA and liver toxicity which can lead to the development of liver cancer and other related conditions brought about by an NDMA-induced “insult” to the liver. NDMA is also believed to be associated with cancer of the stomach, bladder, small intestine, colon/rectum, esophagus, prostate, or pancreas and with leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
We are currently accepting potential claims against the makers of Valsartan by users who have been diagnosed with liver or other cancer after taking Valsartan for at least 30 days. If you or a loved one has been injured due to use of Valsartan, we would like to speak with you. Please send us your contact information and we will respond promptly.