Viberzi and pancreatitis have become closely associated after the FDA recently warned that this medication has been linked to pancreatic inflammation.

The connection between Viberzi and pancreatitis became well known after patients without gallbladders reportedly developed pancreatic inflammation soon after being prescribed the irritable bowel syndrome medication.

The alleged Viberzi and pancreatitis correlation emerged after patients without gallbladders reported this serious complication. The FDA released a public safety warning on March 15, 2017. The FDA stated that some patients without gallbladders who were prescribed the Viberzi medication had to be hospitalized or died from pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas and can be life threatening if not treated immediately. The FDA was spurred to release the warning regarding the Viberzi and pancreatitis connection after receiving 120 injury reports from patients without gallbladders who were prescribed the irritable bowel medication.

The agency further stated that 76 of the patients had to be hospitalized, while 56 of them had previously had undergone gallbladder removal. Two patients reportedly died from pacreatitis that was allegedly induced by Viberzi medication, both of whom had their gallbladders previously removed.

Furthermore, the FDA warned that pancreatitis could be induced in just after two doses of Viberzi medication.

Overview of Viberzi and Pancreatitis Correlation

Viberzi medication is typically prescribed to patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), and is a popular choice for this purpose.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects the large intestine, and Viberzi medication treats this by decreasing the number of bowel contractions. This helps reduce diarrhea and other symptoms, but can possibly cause patients without gallbladders to develop pancreatitis.

The Viberzi and pancreatitis correlation stems from the drug’s treatment mechanism, which causes spasms of the sphincter of Oddi. This structure controls the flow of the bile that travels through the pancreas, gallbladder and small intestine.

These spasms spur the release the of certain digestive enzymes from the pancreas but are already active when released, which causes severe damage to the pancreas without the help of the gallbladder. These enzymes essentially tear down the pancreas, which causes pancreatitis and the need for hospitalization.

The FDA stated that patients that are prescribed the Viberzi medication and do not have their gallbladders could be at serious risk for developing pancreatits. These patients should be aware of the possibility of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Increased heart rate
• Fever
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

The FDA and other health officials have recommended that patients with certain medical conditions should not be prescribed the Viberzi medication including:

• Previous gallbladder removal
• Consuming over three alcoholic beverages in single day
• Chronic constipation
• Digestive issues with the Oddi muscle valve
• Gallbladder obstruction
• Intestinal obstruction
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic problems

A class action investigation has recently been launched into the alleged Viberzi and pancreatitis correlation. Potential claimants could seek damages for any medical expenses incurred from their injuries, along with any other appropriate damages. Claimants can also seek compensation for any missing wages or loss of quality of life caused by the adverse effects of the Viberzi medication.