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Janumet Pancreatitis Information

Janumet Pancreatitis Information

The anti-diabetes medication Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin) has been linked to cases of pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation), including life-threatening hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis. Individuals who suffer Janumet pancreatitis often require hospitalization and they may require surgery. If you or your loved one was injured, our Janumet lawyers may be able to help.

What You Can Do & How a Janumet Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Janumet induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by Janumet pancreatitis, 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.

UPDATE: Sitagliptin in Janumet Linked to 2X Risk of Pancreatitis

January 25, 2013 — A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has linked sitagliptin to a doubled risk of acute pancreatitis. Click here to read more.

What is Janumet?

Janumet is a medication that helps people with type-2 diabetes control their blood-sugar levels, along with diet and exercise. It has been sold in the United States by Merck & Co. since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007.

Janumet contains two diabetes medications:

  • Sitagliptin: This medication stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, which helps lower blood-sugar levels. It is sold alone under the brand-name Januvia.
  • Metformin: This reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver, which helps keep blood-sugar levels under control. It also makes cells more sensitive to insulin, which helps them absorb more sugar from the bloodstream.

How does Janumet influence the Pancreas?

The active drugs in Janumet treat diabetes by stimulating cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin. The pancreas is a digestive organ that produces enzymes to break down food and hormones (like insulin and glucagon) that tell the body to absorb sugars and nutrients from food.

The sitagliptin in Janumet inhibits DPP-4 (dipeptidyl-peptidase-4), which normally destroys a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptidase-1). By inhibiting DPP-4, levels of GLP-1 increase. GLP-1 stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, which results in lower blood-sugar levels.

Janumet and Pancreatitis

Janumet has been linked to a potential increased risk of acute pancreatitis. Janumet pancreatitis is believed to occur when digestive enzymes inside the pancreas (which are normally inactive) suddenly activate and begin auto-digesting the pancreas. This causes a sudden, severe inflammation called acute pancreatitis.

Janumet pancreatitis may include the most life-threatening forms of the disease:

  • Hemorrhagic pancreatitis: Damaged tissue causes bleeding in the pancreas
  • Necrotizing pancreatitis: Damaged pancreatic tissues begin dying (necrosis).

Studies of Janumet Pancreatitis

The following studies have found potential risks of Janumet pancreatitis:

  • JAMA Internal Medicine linked sitagliptin to a doubled risk of pancreatitis in a study published in February 2013.
  • Gastroenterology published a study linking sitagliptin to a 6-fold increased risk of pancreatitis in 2011.

FDA Warning for Janumet Pancreatitis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the following Janumet pancreatitis warning in 2009, when they updated the side effect information for the drug:

“There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, in patients taking Janumet. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis while using Janumet.”

Symptoms of Janumet Pancreatitis

Individuals who take Janumet should contact a doctor immediately if they experience Janumet pancreatitis symptoms, including:

  • Upper-abdominal pain:
    • Pain may be severe, persistent
    • May get worse while lying down, after eating, or drinking
    • Can radiate to the back; sometimes described as back pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Not eating, decreased appetite
  • Rapid heart rate
  • High blood-pressure
  • Abdominal swelling or tenderness
  • And more

Do I have a Janumet Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Janumet induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by Janumet pancreatitis, 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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