Valsartan, Losartan & Irbesartan Contamination

Starting in 2018, some lots of valsartan, losartan and irbesartan were recalled after testing found nitrosamine impurities such as NDMA and NDEA1. These drugs are angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs, used for high blood pressure and heart failure. Federal lawsuits about the contaminated drugs are coordinated in New Jersey as MDL No. 2875. A valsartan lawyer looks at whether your pills came from recalled lots and when you took them.

What happened with ARB blood pressure drugs

FDA and international regulators found three nitrosamine impurities in some ARB products: NDMA, NDEA and NMBA1. The recalls covered specific lots from specific makers, not every valsartan, losartan or irbesartan product. FDA set interim limits on how much of each impurity a pill could contain1.

• Valsartan
• Losartan
• Irbesartan

FDA's limits table lists the impurities it found or set limits for in each of the three drugs1. FDA calls NDMA a probable human carcinogen, meaning it could cause cancer in people2.

What FDA said about the risk

FDA says a person taking a drug with nitrosamines at or below the acceptable daily limit every day for 70 years is not expected to have an increased cancer risk3. Some recalled lots were above those limits. Any added risk is an estimate for large groups. It does not show that a particular person's cancer came from a pill.

The valsartan lawsuits

Federal cases about contaminated valsartan, losartan and irbesartan are coordinated in the District of New Jersey before Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb as MDL No. 28754.

MDL 2875 at a glance

Court

District of New Jersey, Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb4

Cases pending

1,422 as of Nov. 2, 2026 (1,658 filed in total)5

Defendants

Drug makers, distributors and pharmacies in the supply chain, depending on the case

An MDL coordinates individual cases. It is not a class action or a settlement6. For a broader look at contaminated medicines, see NDMA & Carcinogen-Contaminated Medications.

Cancers and injuries involved

Claims focus on cancers diagnosed after a person took pills from recalled lots. A review looks at the type of cancer, when it was diagnosed and other risk factors such as smoking, age and family history.

• Cancer diagnosed after taking recalled ARBs
• Treatment records: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
• Pathology reports that name the cancer type

Who may have a valsartan claim

• Which ARB you took, the maker and the dates
• Whether your pharmacy records match recalled lots
• How long you took it
• The cancer diagnosis and date
• Other cancer risk factors

Pharmacy records usually show the maker of a generic drug, which is key here. You do not need every record before contacting us.

Who may be responsible

An investigation may look at the companies that made the active ingredient and the finished pills, and at distributors and pharmacies that sold recalled lots. The recall notices identify the companies involved in each recall1.

Filing deadlines for valsartan lawsuits

Deadlines depend on your state and on when you learned of the injury and its possible cause. Examples:

• Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death7.
• California: two years for injury to or death of a person caused by another's wrongful act or neglect8.
• New York: three years for personal injury9, with a separate rule that runs from discovery for injuries caused by the latent effects of exposure to a substance in the body10.
• Texas: two years for personal injury and wrongful death11, and most product liability claims must be brought within 15 years of the product's sale, with an exception for certain latent diseases12.

When the clock starts can depend on when a person knew, or should have known, about the injury and its possible link to the medicine. Rules for children, wrongful death and claims against public hospitals can differ. Ask a valsartan attorney to check the rules for your state early, before records are lost.

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Records that help a valsartan review

Records worth gathering

Medicine

• Pharmacy printout with maker (NDC)
• Recall letters
• Bottles you still have

Diagnosis

• Pathology report
• Oncology notes
• Imaging

History

• Smoking and family history
• Bills and insurance statements
• Work records

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a review works

1. Tell us what happened

   Share what you remember about the medicine and the diagnosis. You do not need every record first.

2. We check the recall lists

   We compare your pharmacy records with the makers and lots named in the recalls.

3. We gather records

   With your permission, we request pharmacy, medical and billing records from the places that treated you.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you what the records show, what questions remain and what options may be open, including deadlines.

Many people took recalled ARBs. A claim depends on the lots you took, how long you took them and the cancer diagnosed.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Terms you may see in a valsartan case.

Drug terms

ARB

Angiotensin II receptor blocker, a type of blood pressure medicine.

Generic drug

A copy of a brand-name drug sold by another maker.

NDC

National Drug Code, which identifies the maker and product.

Impurity terms

Nitrosamine

A family of chemicals, some of which may cause cancer3.

NDMA

N-nitrosodimethylamine, a probable human carcinogen2.

Acceptable intake

A daily limit FDA sets for an impurity.

Care and coverage

Pathology report

A lab report describing a tumor sample.

Oncologist

A cancer doctor.

Questions

Valsartan lawsuit questions

Short answers to the questions people ask first.

Is there still a valsartan lawsuit?

Yes. Federal cases are coordinated in MDL No. 2875, which listed 1,422 pending cases on Nov. 2, 2026.

Were all valsartan pills contaminated?

No. Recalls covered specific lots from specific makers. A valsartan lawyer checks your pharmacy records against the recalls.

Does losartan count?

Yes, if you took recalled losartan. The MDL covers valsartan, losartan and irbesartan.

Do I need my old pill bottles?

They help but are not required. Pharmacy records usually show the maker.

Does taking a recalled ARB mean I will get cancer?

No. FDA's risk estimates are for large groups. Most people who took recalled pills will not get cancer from them.

Should I stop my blood pressure medicine?

No. FDA told patients to keep taking their medicine until it is replaced.

How long do I have to file a valsartan lawsuit?

It depends on your state and on when you learned of the cancer and its possible link to the drug.

Is MDL 2875 a class action?

No. It coordinates individual lawsuits for pretrial work.

Who can a valsartan attorney sue?

It depends on the supply chain for your pills: makers, distributors and pharmacies may be investigated.

What does it cost to contact CBW Law?

Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story

If you took recalled valsartan, losartan or irbesartan and were later diagnosed with cancer, a valsartan attorney can review your records.

Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about the ARB recalls. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not stop any medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. A recall does not by itself establish that a medicine caused any person's cancer. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.