The drug Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitigliptin in combination with metformin) manufactured by Merck is an injectable drug that has been prescribed to millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes to lower blood glucose levels. Recent studies have linked Januvia and Janumet, along with other drugs in the same class of medications, Byetta and Victoza, to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are very serious conditions that can cause death. A new study by researchers at UCLA linked Januvia and Janumet, along with other drugs in this incretin mimetic class of drugs to pancreatic damage that can lead to cancer, and the FDA continues to study this information. When you need a lawyer for Januvia side effects, schedule a consultation with an attorney at our Williamsport, Pennsylvania, law office.
Cases are already filed against Amylin, Merck & Company and Novo Nordisk in Federal Court
A multi-district case has been organized in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California for purposes of discovery. These cases were filed against Januvia makers Merck & Company, Byetta’s manufacturer, Amylin, Bristol Myers Squibb, as well as Eli Lilly, a prior pharmaceutical partner with Amylin, and Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Victoza. The lawsuits were recently consolidated into a multi-district litigation by the federal judicial panel, and discovery is progressing.
Januvia and Janumet were designed to help diabetics regulate blood sugar
Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitigliptin in combination with metformin) are DPP-1 inhibitors that impact the GLP-1 metabolic pathway to help diabetics regulate their blood sugar and A1C. Scientific studies show that Januvia, Janumet and other incretin mimentic drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes can cause both hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis. According to a 2011 study in the Journal Gastroenterology, based on a clinical study done at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) people taking Byetta, Januvia, Janumet and Victoza and for type 2 diabetes are significantly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, while people taking Januvia are also significantly more likely to develop thyroid cancer.
JAMA finds people taking Incretin Mimetic Drugs are likely to be hospitalized for pancreatitis
In addition, new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that patients taking incretin mimetic drugs such as Januvia and Janumet are significantly more likely to develop pancreatic ailments and be hospitalized for acute pancreatitis, often a precursor to pancreatic cancer.
Although this information on development of pancreatic cancer has been available since 2011, Amylin, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb and Novo Nordisk have been reluctant to warn the public about the increased risk for developing these devastating conditions after taking Byetta, Januvia, Janumet and Victoza. Despite these risks, the FDA recently declined to update the existing warnings on the drugs in their prescribing information.
Free Januvia/Janumet case evaluation
If you suspect Januvia or Janumet use for more than six months caused pancreatic cancer in you or a loved one, you need legal help so you can seek justice. If you or a loved one has taken Januvia or Janumet, contact us today to learn about your legal rights and the potential compensation available. Call our attorneys at Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey & Waters, 570-323-8711, to see whether you or a loved one may be entitled to compensation from the harm caused by the drug company.