Global Recall of Contaminated Blood Pressure Medication

CANTON, Texas. Valsartan, a common blood pressure drug, has been recalled. According to QZ, in July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration discovered that during the manufacturing process, the drug had been exposed to a chemical known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The drug is known to cause liver damage and is used in laboratory testing to induce cancer in rodents. The FDA has posted a list of the medications that fall under the recall.

However, patients who are taking blood pressure medication should not stop taking their medication. According to CBS News, patients can speak to their pharmacist who can provide them with a refill from a batch of medication that has not been contaminated. The risk of cancer, while real, is quite low. The FDA estimates that a person would have to take the drug continuously for four years, at the highest dose, and even then, only one in 8,000 people from this sample set would develop cancer. At the end of the day, changing your blood pressure medication if you need it, would likely cause a greater immediate risk to your health. That said, if you suspect that your medications might be part of the contaminated batch, now might be a good time to contact your pharmacist.

Prescription drugs all come with risks and side-effects, but in recent years we have learned more about how some drugs come with more risks that others. For years, doctors prescribed opioids for even minor pain. Opioid drug makers told doctors and patients that the drugs would not be addictive. However, in the wake of this, the U.S. has seen an opioid drug epidemic that has left thousands killed. Despite the known risks, doctors still continue to prescribe these drugs. According to Time Magazine, 25% of people treated for ankle sprains were prescribed opioids for their pain. Of these patients who were prescribed opioids for their pain, 5% went on to develop longer-term use of these drugs.

Another way individuals suffer from prescription drug usage is when these drug prescriptions are improperly filled or when nurses and doctors accidentally administer the wrong dose. This can happen most frequently in nursing homes or hospital settings.

What can you do to protect yourself from the potentially dangerous side-effects of prescription drugs? Talk to your pharmacist and doctor about side effects. When you see your doctor, bring a list of medications you are taking because some medications can have negative interactions. If you learn about a recall, give your doctor and pharmacist a call for further instruction.

If you suspect that you or someone you love has been hurt due to a prescription drug, you may have certain rights under the law. You and your family may be entitled to seek damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Canton, Texas who are closely watching this recall unfold. If you have questions about your rights after suffering an injury, reach out to us at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St,
Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037