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Tradjenta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit

Tradjenta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer have been linked to diabetes drugs in the “incretin mimetic” class, such as Tradjenta. These drugs force the pancreas to make more insulin, which many experts are concerned cold lead to inflammation and cancerous growths.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Tradjenta 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.

How Does Tradjenta Work?

Tradjenta, also known as linagliptin, is a prescription medication that helps adults with type-2 diabetes control their blood-sugar levels. It works by forcing the pancreas to make more insulin, which tells cells to absorb more sugar from the bloodstream.

Tradjenta and Pancreatic Cancer

Tradjenta belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called “incretin mimetics.” These medications have been on the market since Byetta (exenatide) was approved in 2005. The FDA has been investigating pancreatic side effects for many years.

In 2008, the FDA issued its first warning about severe, life-threatening pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) in patients on Byetta. In 2010, a study published in Gastroenterology found a 6-fold increased risk of pancreatitis and a higher rate of pancreatic cancer.

The FDA began investigating the link between Tradjenta and pancreatic cancer in March 2013. The agency was concerned about two studies involving incretin mimetic dugs:

  • JAMA Internal Medicine: Incretin therapy linked to a a doubled increased risk of pancreatitis.
  • Diabetes: Researchers autopsied pancreases of patients on incretin therapy and found pre-cancerous growths that could become malignant.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer occurs when tumors grow inside an organ called the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach. It is responsible for making hormones that regulate blood-sugar levels, such as insulin and glucagon. The pancreas also makes digestive “juices” containing enzymes that break down food.

Most pancreatic cancers start in exocrine cells, which make these enzymes. The cancers usually grow and spread very quickly. Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare, but it is the fourth-deadliest type of cancer because it produces so few symptoms in its early stages. This almost always delays diagnosis until after the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver.

Warning Signs & Symptoms

When symptom do appear, they most commonly include:

  • Pain: Abdominal (upper-stomach) pain, dull ache, or discomfort that may wrap around to the back. It may come and go or get worse after eating.
  • Loss of appetite: Weight-loss is a common symptom, but it is easily ignored or vague. Many people also feel weak or tired.
  • Jaundice: Occurs when cancer blocks the bile duct. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes, itching, dark-colored urine, or clay-colored stools.

Treatment Options

Surgery may be an option for people in an early stage of pancreatic cancer. The surgeon may remove only part of the pancreas. In some cases, the whole pancreas and other nearby organs must be removed. Most people with pancreatic cancer get chemotherapy (“chemo”), which uses drugs to kill cancer cells. They may also get radiation therapy, which uses high-energy x-rays from a large machine to kill cancer cells.

Do I have a Tradjenta Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Tradjenta 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.

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