Januvia, a medication designed to help those living with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition, has recently been linked to thyroid cancer, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Plaintiffs are filing Januvia lawsuits with the help of attorneys to seek compensation for their injuries. Louisiana Januvia lawsuit attorneys want patients to be aware that individuals involved in Januvia lawsuits allege that the medication may cause a higher risk of acute pancreatitis, a condition that can ultimately lead to pancreatic cancer.
Januvia Lawsuits in Progress
Those filing Januvia lawsuits against the manufacturer, Merck & Co., allege that the company knew or should have known about the potential dangers about the drug. They further allege that, because of this, victims who have suffered from additional complications or cancer while taking Januvia may have a claim and be entitled to seek compensation for their injuries.
In order to be eligible, many law firms representing plaintiffs maintain that the patient must have been taking Januvia and received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, necrotizing pancreatitis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis, thyroid cancer or kidney failure during treatment. Some plaintiffs are also filing Januvia lawsuits on behalf of loved ones, claiming that the medication ultimately took their family members’ lives.
Is Januvia Safe?
While the drug was initially approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2006, the medication was the first in a new class of drugs known as incretin mimetics designed to help control diabetes. Since Januvia was introduced, it quickly became one of Merck’s highest selling products and one of the top-selling medications throughout the United States.
Unfortunately, studies have shown that Januvia may cause pancreatic cancer in patients. However, patients are typically diagnosed when it is too late; the disease begins with acute pancreatitis, which is often treatable, yet the condition does not come with obvious side effects so patients often go untreated. By the time patients notice side effects, the disease may have developed into full pancreatic cancer; it is rare for someone diagnosed with this condition to live one year past the time of the finding.
Possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Itchiness
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Abdominal distention
- Cramping
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the upper back or upper abdomen
Due to the increasing number of adverse event reports received by the FDA during the first few years of its use, the agency called for an update to Januvia’s warning label to include information about the link between the medication and pancreatitis. However, this update came too late for many who were already diagnosed with serious health conditions. Many are filing lawsuit to cover damages incurred from lack of warning of the drug’s very serious adverse effects.
The FDA also asked Merck to complete additional clinical studies to evaluate the risk further. While Merck agreed and promised to submit results to the FDA by June 2011, the FDA was required to send a warning letter to the manufacturer in February 2012 that they still had not received the results of the trials.
Ultimately, the FDA launched an investigation in March 2013 to evaluate the potential of Januvia and other similar medications to cause pancreatic cancer in patients. Results of studies submitted to the FDA concluded that patients taking the medications were at a higher risk of requiring hospitalization due to potential health complications such as acute pancreatitis. Researchers also acknowledged that incretin mimetics potentially caused cell changes in the pancreas, and cited these changes as a potential reason for the onset of pancreatic cancer.
Have Questions About the Current Januvia Lawsuits?
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with kidney failure, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer or another serious health condition while or after taking Januvia and you would like to learn more about filing a Januvia lawsuit, contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today to be connected with Louisiana Januvia lawsuit attorney who will review your case to determine if you are eligible to pursue a claim. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your situation, you may be entitled to receive compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of income or consortium if you are filing on behalf of a loved one. So contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today for your free consultation.
