Victoza Lawsuit Attorneys
Victoza, a once-daily injectable drug, is used in patients with type 2 diabetes who need help controlling their blood sugar levels. However, the drug has been linked to numerous serious side effects that can lead to permanent disability, organ failure and even death including pancreatitis, kidney failure and thyroid cancer. If you have suffered from serious side effects during or after taking Victoza, it is vital that you consult with Victoza lawsuit attorneys who can work to help better your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
History of Victoza
Victoza, manufactured and marketed by Novo Nordisk, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2010. Its active ingredient, liraglutide, functions similarly to a glucagon-like peptide-1, helping to promote insulin secretion and glucose metabolization. The medication relieves insulin deficiencies in those with type 2 diabetes while helping to prevent the overproduction of sugar. Since its approval in 2010, the medication has become one of the most popular drugs for diabetics on the market, pulling in sales in excess of $670 million in 2011 alone.
However, before it was even cleared by the FDA, Victoza was a controversial product. Three safety reviewers working with the FDA cautioned the organization regarding its side effects, yet the FDA continued to approve the drug anyway. In clinical trials, inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, occurred more often in those taking Victoza than with other diabetes drugs. Studies also showed that high doses of Victoza caused thyroid tumors in mice and rats, although the FDA maintained that such would be the case in humans. However, the FDA’s safety reviewer asserted that because there were 11 different drugs already approved and on the market for type 2 diabetes, there was less urgency for the organization to approve yet another one that had safety concerns.
Despite mounting concerns, a director in the FDA overruled other members of staff, including the safety reviewers, and proceeded to approve the drug. However, the FDA did ask the manufacturer to conduct a study over the course of five years to evaluate the risk of allergic reactions, low blood sugar levels, pancreatitis and thyroid and other cancers in those taking Victoza. However, although the FDA did finally take action, thousands of patients had already begun to file claims for their injuries with the help of Victoza lawsuit attorneys.
Intended Purposes
Upon its introduction, the medication was intended to assist patients in the regulation of blood sugar levels. Daily administration not only enabled the patient to create more insulin but to use it more effectively as well. While the drug may have acted as it was intended, patients are also reporting suffering from severe allergic reactions, renal failure, pancreatitis and thyroid cancer. Many of these injured individuals are seeking compensation with the help of Victoza lawsuit attorneys.
Health Risks and Side Effects
The FDA has released several warnings pertaining to Victoza. In June 2011, the FDA acknowledged that the medication may be linked to thyroid cancer since they had received 25 claims of the condition between February 2010 and September 2011. The thyroid, the gland at the base of the neck, produces hormones that regulate weight, body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. If you believe you have a claim regarding these warnings or any injuries or health complications sustained while taking the drug, Victoza lawsuit attorneys can help to determine if you have a case. Plaintiffs suffering from thyroid cancer have reported symptoms including:
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trouble breathing
- A lump in the neck
Additionally, in May 2011, the FDA added a warning to Victoza’s label regarding Victoza and its association with renal impairment. The warning states that renal impairment may follow the use of the medication and may cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea or dehydration which may require hemodialysis. The label also advises healthcare professionals when beginning or increasing the dosage of Victoza in those currently suffering from renal impairment. If you were prescribed Victoza and you suffered from these or other complications, contact Victoza lawsuit attorneys for assistance.
In July 2011, over 200 cases of acute pancreatitis and 28 cases of pancreatic cancer were reported, the former increasing the risk of organ damage and death. Victoza lawsuit attorneys continued to work diligently to help those who were suffering from serious health complications. The FDA then recommended that patients currently taking Victoza or increasing their dosage of the medication should be monitored carefully for symptoms and signs of pancreatitis including severe abdominal pain that may or may not radiate to the back.
Other serious side effects include:
- Signs of an allergic reaction
- Low blood sugar
- Itching, rashes, or hives
- Kidney disease
- Intense abdominal pain
Less serious side effects include:
- Loss of appetite
- Infrequent or incomplete bowel movements
- Indigestion
- Head pain
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Injured? Contact Victoza Lawsuit Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love takes Victoza and is suffering from renal failure, thyroid cancer, severe allergic reactions, or other serious health complications, consult with Victoza lawsuit attorneys today. Here at Attorney Group, we can work to determine if you are eligible to pursue a claim for your injuries. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your past, current, and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The time to pursue a claim is often limited, so contact experienced Victoza lawsuit attorneys who are familiar with dangerous drugs and can fight for your rights.
