Januvia was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2006 as a medication to help type 2 diabetes patients to better manage their conditions. According to its manufacturer, Merck & Co., Januvia increased a patient’s production of insulin and was the first drug of its kind. However, while many have stated that Januvia did, in fact, help them to get control of their blood sugar levels, others have allegedly developed pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Attorney Group for Kansas is currently investigating potential Kansas Januvia lawsuits on behalf of patients who took the medication and experienced adverse side effects or complications.
What is Januvia?
Januvia directly affects the body’s incretin system by targeting the patient’s pancreatic cells, according to Merck. However, Januvia may also prevent the body from fighting off cancerous cells, leading the patient to become more vulnerable to certain cancers including pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer, as well as other life-threatening health conditions like pancreatitis. If you were diagnosed with cancer and you believe that Januvia was the direct cause of your condition, contact an attorney to learn more about filing a Kansas Januvia lawsuit today.
Lawsuits Filed Against Merck
Throughout the U.S., patients have begun to file lawsuits against the manufacturer, stating that Merck failed to adhere to the FDA’s request for it to conduct additional tests to determine the safety and efficacy of its product. Consequently, any possible side effects or complications that could have been caught before the medication was released were not noticed, and thousands of patients were placed at an unnecessary risk of developing certain cancers.
Although physicians state that nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, sore throat, and sinus complications are normal, you may wish to file a Kansas Januvia lawsuit if you noticed other adverse side effects such as a difficulty urinating, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, swelling of your body or face, or any severe or allergic skin reactions.
FDA Gets Involved
After receiving thousands of adverse event reports from patients who claim that Januvia caused pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer, the FDA stated that it would be investigating incretin mimetics, including Januvia, to determine whether the drugs increase a patient’s risk of developing cancer.
In September 2009, the FDA requested that Merck update the warning label on Januvia to inform consumers of the risk of pancreatic cancer while taking the medication. While some patients continued to take the medication, others made the decision to cease treatment. The FDA acknowledged that consumers deserve to be adequately informed before making any decision pertaining to their own health and treatments.
Still, plaintiffs allege that the FDA’s warnings did not come soon enough since, by this point in time, thousands of type 2 diabetes patients were already taking the drug to control their blood sugar. If you took Januvia and did not know of the risks of pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, or pancreatitis, you may be eligible to file a Kansas Januvia lawsuit and hold the manufacturer responsible for any severe or life-threatening side effects or conditions you developed.
Do You Have a Kansas Januvia Lawsuit? We Can Help
Contact Attorney Group for Kansas today if you took Januvia and you were subsequently diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening side effect that you feel was directly caused by the medication. We can provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to help you determine if you are eligible to file a Kansas Januvia lawsuit. If you are, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can file your Kansas Januvia lawsuit and work to help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call today.
