In October 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Januvia for type 2 diabetes patients. Merck & Co., the manufacturer of Januvia, claimed that its product would help patients produce more insulin and thus better control their blood glucose levels. However, many patients claim that they developed pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis as a result of the medication and have sought legal counsel to pursue claims against the manufacturer for compensation. Contact Attorney Group for Iowa today for more information about filing your own Iowa Januvia lawsuit if you believe you have a case.
Januvia Overview
Like other incretin mimetics, Januvia affects the pancreatic cells, stimulating them to produce more insulin. According to research, however, the medication may also inhibit the body from warding off cancerous cells. As a result, Januvia patients may be more likely to develop cancer, particularly in the pancreas. An attorney can help you file an Iowa Januvia lawsuit if you were diagnosed with pancreatitis or pancreatitis during or immediately following a treatment with Januvia.
Merck Named in Januvia Lawsuits
According to plaintiffs who are pursuing claims against Merck, the manufacturer neglected to conduct additional testing regarding Januvia despite being ordered by the FDA to do so. As a result, Merck was allegedly unable to catch any possible complications that could have been caused by Januvia, and patients across the country were consequently at an increased risk of developing certain life-threatening cancers and health conditions.
In a U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation update issued on March 13, 2014, indicated that 320 of these lawsuits had been centralized in U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Court documents indicate that as of May 2014, there are 414 lawsuits linking Januvia and other incretin mimetics to pancreatic cancer. In each of the pending lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that the diabetic medication caused them to develop thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer.
Common side effects of Januvia include sore throat, constipation, nausea, stomach pain, sinus problems, and stomach pain. Patients may be entitled to file an Iowa Januvia lawsuit if they suffered from other complications as well, such as allergic skin reactions, rapid weight gain, swelling of the face or body, difficulty urinating, or shortness of breath.
FDA Launches Investigation
The FDA announced that it would be analyzing Januvia and other similar medications after it received thousands of adverse event reports linking the drugs to severe and life-threatening complications. Additionally, the FDA allegedly received evidence that Januvia could potentially cause inflammation and pre-cancerous cell changes in the pancreas.
Although the FDA required Merck to update Januvia’s warning label in September 2009, plaintiffs claim that this request came too late. By the time patients became aware of the potential link between Januvia and pancreatic cancer, thousands of individuals had already received prescriptions for the drug, placing them at an increased risk of experiencing complications. If you believe you are eligible to file an Iowa Januvia lawsuit, consider seeking legal counsel today to learn more about your options and how to attempt to recover damages for your injuries.
Learn More about Your Iowa Januvia Lawsuit Today
If you or someone you love took Januvia to help to treat your type 2 diabetes and you experienced complications that you believe were caused by the medication, contact Attorney Group for Iowa today for more information about filing an Iowa Januvia lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to recover damages for your injuries. We can help to answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file your Iowa Januvia lawsuit and help you throughout the legal process.
