Victoza Allergic Reaction Lawsuit

If you took Victoza (liraglutide) to treat Type-2 diabetes and you suffered a serious allergic reaction or other Victoza side effect, you are not alone. More and more people are reporting serious injury after taking this drug, including acute pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, kidney failure, allergic reaction, and more. Recently, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen called for Victoza to be banned immediately. The group is concerned that the risks associated with this drug outweigh its benefit. One risk is the possibility of a severe allergic reaction.

What You Can Do & How a Victoza Allergic Reaction Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Victoza induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a serious Victoza allergic reaction, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Victoza Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Victoza Overview

Victoza (liraglutide) is an injection medication used to treat Type-2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It was invented by the Danish drug company Novo Nordisk, and it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010.

Victoza works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1. When injected, it stimulates the pancreas to produce extra insulin. Insulin tells cells to absorb more glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream, which helps a diabetic person control their blood sugar levels.

Victoza Allergic Reactions

One known side effect of all drugs, including Victoza, is the risk of serious allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system (our natural defense against foreign invaders) over-reacts to a normally harmless substance.

During five clinical trials of Victoza that lasted 26 weeks, 0.8% of Victoza-treated patients suffered a serious allergic reaction (hives, redness, and swelling of tissue) compared to just 0.4% of people treated with other, comparable drugs.

Injection site reactions occurred in approximately 2% of people treated with Victoza. These reactions included rashes at the injection site or erythema. During the trials, 0.02% of people decided to stop taking Victoza due to serious allergic reactions.

When a person has an immune response to a substance, their body produces antibodies to that are specifically tailored to identify and attack that substance. During clinical trials of Victoza, 8.6% of Victoza patients tested positive for Victoza antibodies. The actual number is probably higher, because only 50-70% of patients were tested for the antibodies. Unfortunately, in some patients, the antibodies didn’t just attack Victoza — for 6.9% of patients, the antibodies also attacked native GLP-1 (the hormone that Victoza mimics). This is potentially clinically significant, because Victoza may neutralize the effectiveness of native GLP-1. However, this risk has not been fully assessed.

Types of allergic reactions linked to Victoza include:

• Injection site reactions
• Erythmia
• Hives: Also known as “urticaria,” hives are raised, itch, red welts on the skin
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Gastrointestinal events

Symptoms of a Victoza Allergic Reaction

Some people who take Victoza may be allergic to the medication or any of the ingredients in it. The Medication Guide lists all ingredients in Victoza. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Changes in consciousness (fainting, feeling dizzy, etc.)
• Very rapid heartbeat
• Problems breathing
• Problems swallowing
• Severe rash
• Itching

Public Advocacy Group Calls for Ban of Victoza

If you take Victoza, you may have heard about a recent petition to ban Victoza from the U.S. marketplace. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group based in Washington D.C., has sent the petition to the FDA because they believe the serious risks of this medication outweigh its benefits. When Victoza was approved, three FDA staff drug-safety experts explicitly recommended against approving the drug.

There are 11 other anti-diabetes drugs already on the market. Early trials of Victoza have linked this drug to a higher risk of side effects compared to these other drugs. These risks include a 3.7-fold increased risk of acute pancreatitis, a 3-fold increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer, and 2.4-fold increased risk of proliferating thyroid C-cells. Victoza has also been linked to a risk of serious allergic reactions and kidney failure.

Do I have a Victoza Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Victoza induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Victoza, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Victoza Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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