Januvia has been linked to pancreatitis, a disease that can cause complications like severe internal bleeding, infection, necrosis (tissue death), septic shock, multiple organ system failure, and death. Most people who are diagnosed with pancreatitis must be hospitalized to receive intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition until the pancreas recovers.
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 was 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 and Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) is one of the most serious complications of Januvia, which is a diabetes drug that stimulates cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin. Januvia helps people with diabetes control their blood-sugar levels, but it may also over-stimulate the pancreas.
Experts are concerned that Januvia may increase the risk of sudden inflammation in the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Between 2006 and 2009, Januvia was linked to 88 cases of pancreatitis, including 2 reports of the most serious types of pancreatitis: hemorrhagic pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis.
What is the Problem?
Pancreatitis complications can be life-threatening or deadly, especially if the inflammation is not controlled or reduced for more than a couple weeks. Over time, the risk of bleeding, tissue death (necrosis), permanent organ damage, and death increases significantly. Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is associated with an 80% mortality rate.
Complications of Pancreatitis
- Bile duct obstruction
- Rupture of the pancreas: The pancreas produces powerful digestive enzymes, which may spill into the abdominal cavity and cause severe organ damage.
- Bleeding (hemorrhagic pancreatitis)
- Pancreas tissue death (necrotizing pancreatitis)
- Infection: Prolonged inflammation and tissue death (necrosis) can promote bacterial infection in damaged pancreatic tissues. The infection can spread to other tissues, organs, or the bloodstream.
- Septic shock: This is a whole-body inflammation that occurs in response to bacterial infection and toxins in the blood. It can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, organ damage, and death. This Januvia pancreatitis complication is responsible for most deaths.
- Multiple organ system failure
- Dehydration, malnutrition: This can occur as a result of the most common Januvia side effects (vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea). It can also occur if the pancreas is not producing digestive enzymes, which can make it difficult to break down and absorb nutrients from food.
- Pseudocyst, abscess: This occurs when a collection of pus, liquefied pancreatic tissue, and pancreatic enzymes accumulate in a fibrous cyst. Surgery may be necessary to drain the cyst.
- Need for additional surgery
- And more
More Information About Pancreatitis
- What is Pancreatitis?
- What are Symptoms?
- What Causes Pancreatitis?
- What Complications Can Occur?
- How is Pancreatitis Diagnosed?
- How is Pancreatitis Treated?
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 was 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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