Januvia treats type-2 diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin, which lowers blood-sugar levels. Unfortunately, many experts are concerned that this may lead to inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis), which could increase a user’s risk of pancreatic cancer.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
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 us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Januvia Side Effects
- Bile duct disease
- Bullous pemphigoid
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart failure
- Joint pain
- Pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis
UPDATE: Januvia Linked to Bile Duct and Gallbladder Disease
August 2, 2016 — Study links GLP-1 agonists with a 79% increased risk of bile duct and gallbladder disease. Patients were also twice as likely to need gallbladder surgery. Click here to read more.
How Does Januvia Work?
Januvia (sitagliptin) is a diabetes medication that was developed by Merck & Co. that was approved in 2006. It inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), an enzyme in the gut that normally breaks down hormones that stimulate the production of insulin. By inhibiting DPP-4, hormones such as GLP-1 last longer and stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. This causes cells to absorb more sugar, which prevents dangerously high blood-sugar levels.
Januvia Lawsuits Centralized in MDL
In August 2013, federal judges centralized lawsuits involving Januvia and other “incretin mimetic” diabetes drugs into one federal court in California. The Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2452) contained 750 lawsuits as of January 2016, In Re: Incretin Mimetics Products Liability Litigation MDL.
Januvia and Pancreatic Cancer
In March 2013, the FDA publishes Safety Alert regarding the potential risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The agency was concerned about a study published in Diabetes in which found pre-cancerous growths in pancreases from several patients on incretin therapy. Soon afterward, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) asked the manufacturer of Januvia to provide patient-level data on the risk of pancreatic cancer.
This is not the first time Januvia has been associated with pancreatic cancer. In 2011, the journal Gastroenterology published a study linking Januvia to a 2.9-fold increased risk based on a review of FDA adverse events from 2004-2009. However, because the sample size was small, the risk can’t be extrapolated to the general population.
Januvia May Accelerate Pre-Existing Cancer
Recently, studies in mice have found that antioxidants in diabetes drug like Januvia may “turbo-charge” the metastasis of cancer. Antioxidants normally protect healthy cells from “free radicals” that can cause cancer. However, in people with pre-existing cancer, antioxidants may protect cancer cells as they spread throughout the body, according to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is a life-threatening type of cancer that affects the pancreas, a digestive gland that produces insulin. Pancreatic cancer is rarely diagnosed early because initial symptoms are mild or nonexistent. By the time pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the disease has usually progressed beyond the point where a cure is possible.
More Information About Pancreatic Cancer
- What Causes Pancreatic Cancer?
- What are Symptoms?
- What are Complications?
- How is it Diagnosed?
- What are Treatment Options?
Januvia and Pancreatitis
In February 2013, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine linked Januvia and other GLP-1 diabetes drugs to a doubled risk of pancreatitis. In 2009, the FDA issued warnings after receiving dozens of reports of pancreatitis, including several life-threatening cases of hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis.
What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitits occurs wen the pancreas becomes inflamed. The pancreas is a digestive gland located below the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and hormones that regulate blood-sugar. Pancreatitis occurs when enzymes start digesting the pancreas itself.
More Information About Pancreatitis
- What are Symptoms?
- What Causes Pancreatitis?
- What Complications Can Occur?
- How is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
- How is Pancreatitis Treated?
Other Severe Side Effects
- Joint Pain: The FDA is warning that Januvia may cause severe, disabling joint pain. The agency received 28 reports of patients on Januvia who were diagnosed with joint pain between 2006-2013. Some patients had to be hospitalized because symptoms were so severe. Most patients recovered after discontinuing Januvia, but in some cases symptoms persisted.
- Heart Failure: Januvia has been linked to an 84% increase in hospitalization for heart failure, according to research published in JACC Heart Failure. The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking DPP-4 inhibitors and heart failure. The FDA has already issued warnings about heart failure from other DPP-4 inhibitors, including Onglyza and Kombiglyze.
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 us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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