Viberzi is a new type of anti-diarrhea drug that has been linked to 120 reports of pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) or death. The FDA recently warned that people without a gallbladder have the highest risk of these life-threatening side effects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Viberzi induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with 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 toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
How Does Viberzi Work?
Viberzi is the first and only medication of its kind. It belongs to a new class of drugs called mu-opioid receptor agonists, which work by activating opioid receptors in the intestines. This decreases muscle contractions that cause diarrhea. It is approved for adults who suffer Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when the main symptom is diarrhea.
What is the Risk?
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may be an unintended consequence of Viberzi. This is a ring-shaped muscle at the end of the bile duct that controls the flow of digestive juices into the intestines. If the muscle does not relax, the valve does not open and digestive juices back up in the gallbladder and pancreas.
Viberzi and Pancreatitis
The pancreas and the gallbladder share the bile duct to squeeze digestive juices into the intestines. In people without a gallbladder, backed-up digestive juices have nowhere to go except the pancreas. This can cause severe inflammation (pancreatitis) and pain as digestive juices begin to digest tissues in the pancreas and bile duct.
FDA: Viberzi Linked to 120 Reports of Pancreatitis, Death
Viberzi was linked to 120 reports of severe pancreatitis or death in less than two years on the market, from May 2015 to February 2017.
In March 2017, FDA issued a Safety Warning that Viberzi should not be used by people without a gallbladder because they have a higher risk of suffering pancreatitis or death.
At least 56 people who were injured did not have a gallbladder, including two people who died. There were 76 people who were hospitalized. Some victims took only one or two doses of Viberzi.
Patients should stop taking Viberzi and get emergency medical care for new or worse pain in their stomach or abdomen. The pain may spread to the back or shoulder or occur with nausea and vomiting.
Warning Signs & Symptoms
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Bloating
- Body chills
- Diarrhea or indigestion
- Fatigue
What is the Problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm, but we are not filing a Viberzi class action. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits for people who had side effects like pancreas inflammation, pancreatitis sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, or death.
About Class Actions
Class action lawsuits are a good way to maximize efficiency when a lot of people have similar legal claims. Lawyers seek compensation for everyone who was injured and divide the payout with everyone who qualifies to join the lawsuit.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
For people with severe injuries, class actions can have disadvantages. They are not designed to maximize compensation for people with the worst injuries from a dangerous drug, medical device, or product.
This is why our lawyers are filing individual lawsuits for people with side effects of Viberzi. If you decide to file a lawsuit, we may be able to help you seek compensation for your injury, medical bills, and more.
Do I have a Viberzi Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Viberzi induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with 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 toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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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.
