Valsartan Cancer Lawsuit (NDMA recall)
valsartan · various generic manufacturers · updated June 2026
Also covers Losartan, Irbesartan lawsuit claims.
Certain generic valsartan blood-pressure pills were recalled after being found contaminated with NDMA, a probable carcinogen. Lawsuits allege the contamination caused cancer. (Brand-name Diovan was not part of the recall.)
This page is general information about ongoing litigation and FDA safety actions — not medical or legal advice, and not a statement that Valsartan caused any injury. Allegations described here are claims that have not been proven in court. Always consult a licensed professional.
What the lawsuits allege
Plaintiffs allege that generic valsartan contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, caused cancer, and that manufacturers failed to ensure the drug was free of the impurity.
- Liver cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Stomach cancer
FDA action
Beginning in 2018, the FDA announced recalls of numerous generic valsartan products found to contain the probable carcinogen NDMA (and related nitrosamine impurities).
Verify against the current FDA-approved label: Valsartan label on DailyMed (U.S. NLM).
Where the litigation stands
As of mid-2026, roughly 1,340 cancer claims are consolidated in MDL 2875 (District of New Jersey). Bellwether cases were selected in late 2024 and the litigation is proceeding toward trial rather than settling.
Case counts and MDL status are published by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation — JPML pending MDLs. Any figure not on the court record is attributed to the secondary legal-press links below.
Who may be affected
The Valsartan lawsuits are brought by people who say they used Valsartan (valsartan) and were later diagnosed with one or more of the alleged injuries above. Whether any individual situation could support a claim depends on the specific facts, the medical records, and each state's filing deadline (statute of limitations) — which can expire, so timing matters. Only a licensed attorney can evaluate a specific case. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked
- What is the Valsartan lawsuit about?
- Plaintiffs allege that generic valsartan contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, caused cancer, and that manufacturers failed to ensure the drug was free of the impurity. As of mid-2026, roughly 1,340 cancer claims are consolidated in MDL 2875 (District of New Jersey). Bellwether cases were selected in late 2024 and the litigation is proceeding toward trial rather than settling.
- What injuries are alleged in the Valsartan lawsuits?
- Lawsuits allege liver cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer. These are allegations; a court has not found that Valsartan causes them.
- Has the FDA acted on Valsartan?
- Beginning in 2018, the FDA announced recalls of numerous generic valsartan products found to contain the probable carcinogen NDMA (and related nitrosamine impurities).
- Is there a deadline to file a Valsartan lawsuit?
- Yes — every state sets a filing deadline (statute of limitations) for product-injury claims, often running from the date of injury or diagnosis, and once it passes a claim is usually barred. The exact window varies by state and circumstances, so anyone considering a claim should check with a licensed attorney promptly. This is general information, not legal advice.