Januvia was first approved in October 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Marketed and manufactured by Merck & Co., the medication was designed to help type 2 diabetes patients better manage their blood sugar levels. While many have taken the medication and reported little or no side effects, adverse event reports and clinical studies have suggested a relationship between the medication and an increased risk of pancreatitis.
You may have a valid Alabama Januvia lawsuit if you have taken the medication and experienced adverse side effects or received a cancer diagnosis during treatment. Consult an experienced attorney to learn more about filing an Alabama Januvia lawsuit and seeking compensation for your injuries.
Overview of Januvia
Incretin is the hormone responsible for the stimulation of the pancreas to produce insulin in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. According to Januvia’s manufacturer, the drug is intended to mimic this action and help to increase insulin production. However, clinical trials have suggested that Januvia may also inhibit the body’s natural defense system that fights off cancer.
Those who are in the process of filing lawsuits to seek compensation for their injuries allege that Merck failed to conduct studies in a reasonable timeframe after the FDA required additional trials prior to approving the medication. Plaintiffs also allege that Merck was negligent in that these actions eliminated the chance that the company would have prior knowledge of potentially life-threatening conditions before the drug was released. Those who have allegedly been injured maintained that, had Merck conducted these trials, it would have evidence of potential dangers and prevented patients from needlessly suffering.
Is Januvia Safe?
Common side effects from those reporting no serious complications while taking Januvia include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Sore throat
- Back, muscle or joint pain
- Stuffy or runny nose
However, you may consider filing an Alabama Januvia lawsuit if you have suffered from a more serious and potentially life-threatening complication. Those currently seeking compensation allege that Januvia caused pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer and kidney failure, among other conditions. Adverse side effects include:
- Vomiting, nausea
- Swelling
- Allergic reactions
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty urinating
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
The FDA announced in March 2013 that the agency would be launching its own investigation to evaluate the potential link between incretin mimetics such as Januvia and pancreatitis. The agency cited an unpublished study as the reason behind the investigation as results indicated a possible relationship between cellular changes in the pancreas and the medications.
Current Januvia Lawsuits
Alabama Januvia lawsuit attorneys note a federal proceeding handling claims against incretin mimetics including Januvia, Byetta, Janumet and Victoza has been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California following a status conference held on October 17, 2013.
According to court records, 60 claims have been filed since the creation of the MDL and include allegations that Januvia and other similar medications have caused increased risks of cancer and other serious health conditions. Other allegations include claims that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn the public of the potential dangers of their products prior to releasing them to consumers and the healthcare community.
Want to Learn More about Filing an Alabama Januvia Lawsuit? Contact Us Today
Have you or someone you love taken Januvia and you were later diagnosed with thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis or other adverse health complication? You could be entitled to file an Alabama Januvia lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. At Attorney Group for Alabama, we will answer your questions about filing a claim and the legal process and help to determine if you have a valid case. If so, we will connect you with an experienced attorney who will handle your Alabama Januvia lawsuit and help you seek compensation to which you may be entitled.
