First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2006, Januvia is a medication prescribed to those living with type 2 diabetes to help better manage the condition and better regulate blood glucose levels. However, Januvia has recently been linked to an increased risk of pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, kidney failure and pancreatic cancer.
Have you or someone you love suffered from cancer or other life-threatening complication while taking Januvia? You may be entitled to file a Louisiana Januvia lawsuit and receive compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses.
Januvia Overview
Incretin mimetics including Januvia help to increase insulin production in the pancreas, allowing patients to better control their blood sugar levels with little or no complications. However, adverse event reports submitted by Januvia users claim that the drug increased the risk of cancer as its ingredients allegedly prevent the body from fighting off cancerous cells.
Those filing lawsuits against the manufacturer claim that the company did not respond quickly enough to the FDA’s request to conduct additional trials. As a result, many patients were allegedly placed at an unnecessary risk for suffering from life-threatening complications.
Health Risks and Complications
Patients throughout the country have allegedly taken Januvia and suffered little or no complications, reporting that Januvia did, in fact, help them to better manage their type 2 diabetes conditions. However, Januvia may cause several common side effects including:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Cold symptoms including stuffy, runny nose
- Joint, back or muscle pain
Plaintiffs filing lawsuits against Merck allege that Januvia caused pancreatitis, a condition involving the inflammation and swelling of the pancreas which may lead to pancreatic cancer. You may be entitled to file a Louisiana Januvia lawsuit and hold the manufacturer accountable for your injuries if you feel that your condition is the result of the medication. Adverse side effects include:
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Allergic reactions
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Swelling
- Upper abdominal pain
- Difficulty urinating
In March 2013, the FDA announced that it would be launching an investigation into incretin mimetics such as Januvia, Janumet, Victoza and Byetta and the potential link between these medications and adverse health complications. The agency allegedly made the decision to investigate these drugs further after reviewing data from an unpublished study which reported an increased risk of pancreatitis in patients taking incretin mimetics. If you feel you have a case and would like to file your own Louisiana Januvia lawsuit, contact an experienced attorney today.
Pending Januvia Lawsuits
According to court documents, a conference was held pertaining to all incretin mimetics such as Januvia, Janumet, Victoza and Byetta. The decision was made on October 17, 2013 to consolidate cases from plaintiffs allegedly injured by these drugs into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The claims are pending in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California.
Additionally, an update was released that reported the additional filing of over 60 claims following the consolidation of the original cases. Attorneys experienced with these cases anticipate that more plaintiffs will come forward to seek compensation. Allegations include claims of pancreatic and thyroid cancers, pancreatitis and kidney failure in the medications as well as negligence on the part of the manufacturers for failing to warn about the potentially serious complications that could arise while taking the products.
Need More Information about Filing a Louisiana Januvia Lawsuit?
If you or someone you love is taking Januvia and received a cancer diagnosis or suffered from adverse or life-threatening complications, you may entitled to file a Louisiana Januvia lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. At Attorney Group for Louisiana, we can provide you with a free case evaluation and help answer your questions regarding your legal rights. We will connect you with an experienced attorney who will handle your Louisiana Januvia lawsuit and work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
