The FDA has issued warnings about the risk of cancer and ketoacidosis from many new diabetes medications. Thousands of people who were injured have already filed lawsuits accusing drug-makers of inadequately warning about these deadly side effects.
What You Can Do & How a Diabetes Medication Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting diabetes medication induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured, 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 us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
SGLT2 Inhibitor Diabetes Drugs Linked to Ketoacidosis
In December 2015, the FDA reported that 73 cases of ketoacidosis had been linked to diabetes drugs in the “SGLT2 inhibitor” class. All of the victims were hospitalized. The FDA also noted that blood-sugar levels were not very high in some cases.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is burning fat instead of using blood-sugar for energy, which releases toxic acids called ketones. Without treatment, it can lead to diabetic coma (unconsciousness) and death.
SGLT2 inhibitor diabetes drugs include:
- Invokana (canagliflozin)
- Invokamet (canagliflozin and metformin)
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
- Xigduo XR (dapagliflozin and metformin extended-release)
- Jardiance (empagliflozin)
- Glyxambi (empagliflozin and linagliptin
Incretin Mimetic Drugs and Pancreatic Cancer
Diabetes drugs in the “incretin mimetic” class help people with diabetes control blood-sugar levels by forcing the pancreas to make more insulin. Unfortunately, several recent studies have found evidence of pancreatic side effects, including pancreatitis (pancreas inflammaiton) and pancreatic cancer.
In March 2013, the FDA issued a Safety Communication and opened a safety investigation into the following medications:
- Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
- Liraglutide (Victoza)
- Sitagliptin (Januvia, Janumet, Janumet XR, Juvisync)
- Saxagliptin (Onglyza, Kombiglyze XR)
- Alogliptin (Nesina, Kazano, Oseni)
- Linagliptin (Tradjenta, Jentadueto)
Byetta and Thyroid Cancer
Byetta (exenatide) is a diabetes drug that has been on the market since 2005. In 2009, the FDA asked drug-makers to investigate the risk thyroid cancer after an analysis of adverse events suggested an increased risk. Studies in rodents have suggested that GLP-1 analog drugs like Byetta could increase the risk of thyroid C-cell carcinomas, also known as medullary thyroid cancer.
Onglyza and Heart Failure
In April 2015, an FDA panel recommended stronger warnings about heart failure from Onglyza. Experts were concerned about the SAVOR clinical trial, which found a 27% increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure. The study also found a possible increased risk of all-cause mortality and death, but further investigation is necessary.
Do I have a Diabetes Medication Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting diabetes medication induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by cancer after taking a diabetes medication, 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 us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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