Oseni belongs to a new class of diabetes drugs that may increase a patient’s risk of pancreatic side effects, such as pancreatitis (chronic inflammation) and pancreatic cancer.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Oseni induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is the Problem?
Oseni contains alogliptin, which treats type-2 diabetes by mimicking hormones that tell the pancreas to make more insulin, which helps lower blood-sugar levels. The problem is that Oseni may also lead to pancreatic side effects, such as:
- Chronic pancreatitis
- Hemorrhagic pancreatitis
- Necrotizing pancreatitis
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pre-cancerous growths (pancreatic duct metaplasia)
FDA Investigates Pancreatic Side Effects
Oseni belongs to a class of drugs called incretin mimetics. These drugs have been linked to pancreatitis for several years. In February 2013, the two most popular incretin mimetics — Januvia (sitaglitpin) and Byetta (exenatide) — were linked to a doubled increased risk of pancreatitis in a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
In March 2013, the FDA began investigating the risk of pancreatic cancer from Oseni. The agency issued a Safety Communication after researchers found evidence of pre-cancerous growths called pancreatic duct metaplasia. In 2010, a study published in Gastroenterology confirmed that people on these medications reported higher rates of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer: Overview
Every year, about 42,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The pancreas is a gland located below that stomach that makes digestive juices. It also hormones like insulin and glucagon that help control blood-sugar levels.
What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
No one knows what causes pancreatic cancer, but it is more common in people with type-2 diabetes — especially those with chronic inflammation in their pancreas (pancreatitis). Other risk-factors include smoking cigarettes, being very overweight, and having a family history of pancreas problems.
Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer may not cause any symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they are often vague, non-specific, and easily misdiagnosed. These symptoms may include:
- Pain (dull ache in the upper abdomen, may radiate to back or get worse after eating greasy foods)
- Lack of appetite and weight-loss
- Indigestion (especially fatty foods)
- Bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort
- Nausea, vomiting
- Tiredness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Blocked bile ducts (itching, clay-colored stools, dark-colored urine)
Diagnosis
The pancreas is hidden deep inside the abdomen and it is hard to diagnose without taking a biopsy (tissue sample). Due to a lack of symptoms, diagnosis is often delayed until the cancer is very difficult to treat.
Treatment
Surgery is only an option for about 20% of people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is because the cancer is usually only diagnosed after it has metastasized (spread to other organs). Additional therapy may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Do I have an Oseni Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Oseni induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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