Recent studies have linked Victoza to a possible increased risk of pancreatic cancer, acute pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and other life-threatening side effects.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Victoza 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.
What is Victoza?
Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily, injectable diabetes medication used to help control blood sugar (glucose). Victoza works by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin after a meal. It is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and was approved by the FDA in January 2010.
Victoza Side Effects
FDA Warning for Victoza
In June 2011, the FDA updated the label on Victoza to warn patients about the increased risk of pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and renal failure.
Pancreatic Cancer
In June 2016, the LEADER clinical trial found that twice as many patients on Victoza developed pancreatic cancer compared to a placebo. Out of 4,670 patients on Victoza, there were 15 cases of pancreatic cancer. Only 5 patients on a placebo developed pancreatic cancer out of a similar number of patients. Click here to read more.
Thyroid Cancer
In animal studies, Victoza caused thyroid tumors in rats and mice. The rodents were administered doses of Victoza comparable to doses given to humans, which is a warning sign that it could potentially cause thyroid cancer in humans.
In studies of human patients, Victoza had a higher risk of cancer compared to other diabetes drugs. The risk of papillary thyroid cancer was three times higher, and the risk of thyroid C-cell hyperplasia was 2.4-times more likely to occur.
In response to this risk, the FDA is requiring the manufacturers of Victoza to conduct a 5-year safety study to compare the rates of thyroid cancer among Victoza patients to non-Victoza patients. The FDA is also requiring the manufacturer to keep track of how many thyroid cancer cases occur for the next 15 years.
Pancreatitis
In the first 17 months Victoza was on the market, 200 patients were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. In early clinical trials, pancreatitis was 3.7-times more common in Victoza patients compared to other diabetes drugs.
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which is the organ responsible for producing insulin. The symptoms of pancreatitis usually begins as abdominal pain that radiates to the back, possibly with nausea and vomiting.
Petition to Ban Victoza
In April 2012, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to immediately ban Victoza due to the risk of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, and kidney failure. In June 2014, the group again petitioned the FDA to ban Victoza to due to concern about the increased risk of pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation). Click here to read more.
Lawsuits Centralized in California
In August 2013, federal judges centralized more than 50 lawsuits involving diabetes drugs into the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Plaintiffs allege that Victoza caused their pancreatic cancer or the wrongful death of a family member. Click here to read more.
Victoza Class Action Lawsuit
As of June 2016, around 800 lawsuits had been filed by people who were injured by diabetes drugs like Victoza, Byetta, and Januvia. These cases are not part of a class action lawsuit. Instead, they are individual lawsuits that are centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (MDL No. 2452).
Do I have a Victoza Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Victoza 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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