Januvia was first approved in October 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co., the medication is prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients as a way to help them better manage blood sugar levels. While thousands have taken Januvia with little or no complications, adverse event reports and clinical trials have suggested that Januvia may increase a patient’s risk of suffering from pancreatic cancer and acute pancreatitis.
Have you or someone you know received a pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer diagnosis while taking Januvia and you would like to learn more about your legal rights? You may be entitled to file a Kentucky Januvia lawsuit and receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Overview of Januvia
Januvia mimics the role of incretin in the body. Incretin is responsible for stimulating insulin production in the pancreas in those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, studies suggest that Januvia may also prevent or inhibit the body’s natural defense system responsible for fighting off cancer.
Those who are in the process of filing lawsuits against Merck allege that although the manufacturer was required by the FDA to conduct additional clinical trials prior to releasing the medication onto the market, Merck failed to follow through in time and reduced the chance the company had to learn about potentially dangerous and fatal complications prior to the drug’s release, thus placing patients at an unnecessary risk for adverse side effects and health conditions. If you feel that you have a valid claim, you may be entitled to file a Kentucky Januvia lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney.
Is Januvia Safe?
Common side effects of Januvia include:
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea, constipation
- Headaches
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Joint, muscle or back pain
- Stomach pain
Plaintiffs who are in the process of filing Januvia lawsuits allege that pancreatitis is also a serious and life-threatening complication of the medication. If you have experienced one or more of the following side effects, you may be suffering from the condition, and you may be entitled to file a Kentucky Januvia lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries:
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, nausea
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty urinating
- Allergic reactions
- Shortness of breath
After reviewing the conclusions of an unpublished study which suggested a potential link between incretin mimetics such as Januvia and pre-cancerous cell changes in the pancreas in March 2013, the FDA announced that it would be launching its own investigation into the potential dangers of these drugs as a whole. The results of the investigation have not yet been released to the public.
Are There Current Januvia Lawsuits?
The initial status conference for a proceeding in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California was held on October 17, 2013, according to court documents. The proceeding includes incretin mimetics such as Januvia, Janumet, Victoza, Byetta and Bydureon.
Sources also indicate that 60 claims are currently pending in the proceeding as of October 2013, and attorneys across the country anticipate this number to increase over the next several months. Lawsuits include allegations that Merck and other manufacturers failed to warn the public of the alleged dangers of their products prior to introducing them into the market.
You May Be Eligible to File a Kentucky Januvia Lawsuit
Have you or someone you love taken Januvia and you were later diagnosed with thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or other adverse or life-threatening health complication? At Attorney Group for Kentucky, we can provide you with a free case evaluation to determine if you are entitled to file a Kentucky Januvia lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. We will connect you with an experienced and professional attorney who will handle your Kentucky Januvia lawsuit throughout the legal process and work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
