August 2, 2016 — Incretin-based diabetes drugs have been associated with an increased risk of bile duct and gallbladder disease in a new study.
The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine by researchers at McGill University.
The risk was 79% higher in patients on GLP-1 analogues, which is a class of drugs that includes Byetta. They work by forcing the pancreas to make more insulin, which helps lower blood-sugar levels.
The primary adverse event was gallstones, which are treatable but often extremely painful. In a secondary analysis, researchers found a doubled increased rate of surgery to remove the gallbladder, which is a common treatment for painful gallstones.
The study authors say the conclusions are credible because GLP-1 agonists act directly on the pancreas. There is already concern about inflammation (pancreatitis) and pancreatic cancer.
Another study published yesterday did not find higher rates of pancreatitis. However, the FDA has issued warnings about pancreatitis and recommends seeking medical attention for symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
There are currently around 800 lawsuits pending in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2452) by people who experienced pancreatic side effects. They accuse drug-makers of failing to warn about the risk.
Do I have a Januvia Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Januvia 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.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
