You may have heard by now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the voluntary recall of defective drugs containing an active ingredient called valsartan. These medicines were recalled because some of the drugs contain – or may contain – N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which could pose a cancer risk to patients.
Medications that control high blood pressure are extremely important to the health and life of patients. As such, it is important for hypertension patients in Tennessee to understand what the recall means. Physicians and the FDA want people to know that the drug itself is not faulty. NDMA contamination during manufacturing is what makes these products defective. Patients taking drugs containing valsartan should not stop unless a doctor tells them to do so and provides them with a replacement drug.
Those who are taking drugs for high blood pressure should look at the prescription label to see if the medicine was included in the recall. If your medication was recalled, contact your doctor right away to make an appointment and – again – continue taking the drug until you acquire a replacement.
So far, there have been no reports of patients in America suffering harm from potentially dangerous medications included in the recall. However, creating a plan of action now in case health problems do arise is a great idea.
An important part of an action plan includes searching for an attorney experienced with cases involving defective drugs. By doing this right now, you will be prepared to pick up the phone and call the lawyer of your choice if you or a loved one suffers an illness or injury linked to this medication.