Marketed and manufactured by Merck & Co., Januvia was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2006. The medication was designed to help regulate blood glucose levels in those living with type 2 diabetes. However, Januvia may cause an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis and kidney failure.
If you or someone you love are taking Januvia and you have been diagnosed with pancreatitis or other serious health condition, you may be entitled to file a Florida Januvia lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries.
What is Januvia?
Januvia falls into a class of medications known as incretin mimetics. As the name suggests, these medications mimic the role of incretin in the body. It is the incretin hormone that is responsible for stimulating insulin production in the pancreases of those living with diabetes, and these medications have allegedly been successful in creating a similar effect with little or no complications. However, concerns have been brought to light that suggest Januvia may prevent the body from fighting off different types of cancer, thus leaving patients exposed and at an increased risk for developing serious health conditions.
Plaintiffs currently filing lawsuits against Merck allege that the manufacturer did not adhere to the FDA’s request when it asked the manufacturer to conduct additional clinical trials to determine the safety of its product. Had Merck conducted these studies in time, plaintiffs allege that thousands of patients and the healthcare community would have been informed much sooner of the potentially dangerous and life-threatening complications that could arise while taking Januvia.
Are There Health Risks While Taking Januvia?
While many have taken Januvia and reported that the medication was successful in helping them to manage their type 2 diabetes, a few common side effects noted by several patients include:
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Muscle, joint or back pain
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
Those who are filing lawsuits against the manufacturer allege that they were diagnosed with pancreatitis while taking Januvia, and a few patients later developed pancreatic cancer allegedly as a result of taking the drug. If you or someone you know has experienced severe and life-threatening side effects, consider filing a Florida Januvia lawsuit to seek compensation and hold the manufacturer accountable for your condition. More serious side effects alleged by plaintiffs include:
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Loss of appetite
- Allergic reactions
- Swelling
- Difficulty urinating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain
The FDA had reportedly reviewed the findings of an unpublished study which allegedly linked Januvia to an increased risk of pancreatitis. After analyzing the results, the FDA announced in March 2013 that it would be launching a full investigation to determine the validity of the claims that suggested a relationship between incretin mimetics and pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and other health conditions. If you have questions about filing your own Florida Januvia lawsuit, contact an attorney who will inform you of your legal rights.
Are Plaintiffs Filing Lawsuits?
On October 17, 2013, a status conference was held to determine the process by which lawsuits pertaining to incretin mimetics would be heard. According to court documents, the decision was made to consolidate cases alleging side effects while taking Januvia, Byetta, Victoza and Janumet into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.
Court documents also report that since the consolidation, over 60 claims have been filed in similar cases, and attorneys expect additional plaintiffs to come forward over the next few months. Plaintiffs are alleging that manufacturers neglected to warn the medical and public communities of the potential dangers associated with their products before they were released to consumers.
Consider Filing a Florida Januvia Lawsuit to Seek Financial Compensation
If you or someone you know took Januvia to help control your type 2 diabetes and were later diagnosed with pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer or other severe health complication, you may be entitled to file a Florida Januvia lawsuit and seek compensation for damages you did not anticipate having to endure. At Attorney Group for Florida, we can answer questions you may have and help you to determine if you have a valid claim. We will connect you with an experienced, professional attorney who handle Florida Januvia lawsuits and help you seek compensation for your suffering. Contact Attorney Group for Florida today for your free consultation.
