Januvia Janumet Lawyer

Update: Drug Lawsuit Source is no longer accepting these cases. We regret we cannot assist you. You may want to contact a law firm in your area to see if they will accept your case.

Januvia (sitagliptin) is a type 2 diabetes drug that was originally approved by the FDA in 2006.

When Januvia was introduced to the market, it was the first drug in a new class of diabetes drugs known as selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, or simply, DPP-4 inhibitors.

These drugs were designed to work with other diabetes drugs, such as Byetta. Januvia can stimulate the body to produce insulin. Studies show that it may be less likely to cause hypoglycemia and weight gain than other diabetes drugs.

Januvia is taken orally and often available in a combination pill (known as Janumet) that contains metformin, a drug that helps control blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is a disease in which the afflicted individual suffers from an increased level of blood glucose in their blood. This high glucose level is caused by the body’s lack of insulin or resistance to insulin. As food is consumed, the body extracts glucose (sugar) to provide energy to the cells and tissues. However, when insulin is unable to properly function, the body is unable to metabolize glucose (sugar), hindering its ability to acquire energy for its cells and leading to an increased blood sugar level.

If left untreated, the disease can lead to a bevy of side effects centered around a lack of energy and the deterioration of artery strength due to being unable to handle the high sugar density in the blood. Over 29 million Americans suffer from a form of the disease with 1.25 million additional diagnoses occurring each year. It is the seventh most frequent reason for death in the United States.

If you have suffered a worsened medical condition after taking this drug, it is worth contacting a Januvia lawyer to discuss if you are eligible for a lawsuit.

What Are The Severe Side Effects Of Januvia?

There are several severe side effects that RXlist recommends that you should be on the lookout for when taking Januvia — and that should be discussed with your doctor and attorney:

• Pancreatitis: Severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting as well as loss of appetite, fast heart rate and urinating less than usual or not at all.
• Swelling
• Weight gain
• Short of breath
• Severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, swelling in face or tongue, burning in eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple rash

Pancreatitis

Although the number of prescriptions for Januvia has been increasing, recent studies have identified a link to serious complications. Pancreatitis, a condition marked by inflammation of the pancreas, is one of these complications. This condition occurs when digestive enzymes inside the body begin to attack the pancreas, causing it to become inflammed.

If the condition is not treated, consequences could be tissue damage, severe infection, bleeding and cyst formation. Pancreatitis can either be chronic or acute, and both conditions can be life-threatening if not treated in a timely manner. In 2011, the FDA received nearly 200 reports of pancreatitis in patients who were taking Januvia or Janumet.

Pancreatic Cancer

In addition to pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer has also been a serious concern associated with Januvia and Janumet.

Several diabetes drugs have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is a particularly troubling cancer as it rarely shows any signs or symptoms of its presence until the tumor has grown large enough to be a life-threatening concern. Pancreatic cancer can also be brought on by pancreatitis.

On March 14, 2013, the FDA announced new evidence indicating Januvia can cause “pre-cancerous cellular changes” in the pancreas. UCLA researchers determined the drugs increase the mass of the pancreas. Additionally, according to a study published in Gastroenterology, people who take these drugs to help manage diabetes are 2.7 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer.

Although these investigations are ongoing, Januvia and Janumet are still being prescribed at record rates to patients recently diagnosed with diabetes.

Less Severe Side Effects

According to RXList many people who use Januvia do not experience any serious side effects. The less severe side effects that may occur with Januvia include:

• Runny of stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Back pain
• Joint or muscle pain
• Nausea
• Stomach Pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Get Help From an Attorney With a Januvia and Janumet Case

Lawsuits are filed against Merck with the help of a Januvia and Janumet lawyer. Lawsuit allegations include that the drug company:

• Failed to warn the public of the risks of taking Januvia and Janumet
• Failed to properly test Januvia and Janumet for dangerous side-effects
• Withheld research data from the public about Januvia and Janumet dangers
• Sold Januvia and Janumet even though they knew it could be dangerous
• Manufactured and sold an unsafe product

Settlements in Januvia & Janumet lawsuits will provide compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. In the event that a family member has passed away from pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis, lawsuits will seek compensation for the wrongful death of the loved one.

The following criteria must be met to file a lawsuit against Merck, the drug manufacturer:

• Suffered from pancreatic cancer
• Took the drug for at least one year prior to diagnosis