Patients who were prescribed Viberzi with no gallbladder have been reportedly developing pancreatitis, which is a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Viberzi may increase the odds of developing pancreatitis in patients whose gallbladder has been removed, with the FDA issuing a recent warning regarding this correlation.

The FDA stated that patients prescribed Viberzi with no gallbladder are at risk for developing pancreatitis, and that prescribing doctors should consider alternative medications for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The FDA warning was released on March 15, 2017, with the agency stating that some patients were hospitalized or died from pancreatitis soon after they were prescribed Viberzi.

According to MedPageToday, the FDA issued this report after receiving 120 injury reports from patients without a gallbladder who were prescribed Viberzi, each of whom developed pancreatitis soon after starting the medication. According to the injury reports, 76 patients had required hospitalization and 55 patients previously had their gallbladders removed.

Two patients had reportedly died from pancreatitis, both of which had their gallbladders previously removed before being prescribed the IBS medication. The FDA further stated that pancreatitis can occur very quickly after taking the Viberzi.

Pancreatitis can be potentially fatal and should be treated as soon as possible. Serious cases may cause damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys. Patients who were prescribed Viberzi with no gallbladder should be wary of any unusual symptoms including:

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

Overview of Viberzi Pancreatitis

The IBS medication Viberzi (eluxadoline) is typically prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, which is a condition that affects the large intestine.

This condition can also cause cramping, bloating, gas and abdominal pain, with patients often experiencing sudden bouts of diarrhea. The IBS medication Viberzi works by decreasing bowel contractions, which reduces diarrhea and other symptoms.

However, the drug’s treatment mechanism may be what is triggering pancreatitis in patients prescribed Viberzi with no gallbladder, because they do not have their gallbladder to prevent it. Viberzi may cause spasms in the sphincter of Oddi, which is the valve that controls the amount of bile that flows between the pancreas, gallbladder and small intestine.

These spasms cause digestive enzymes from the pancreas to be released before actually reaching the small intestine, which causes the enzymes to attack the pancreas. While there are a number of conditions or causes that can contribute to pancreatitis, its association with the IBS medication Viberzi is highly concerning.

Due to the severity of this risk, the FDA states that patients who regularly consume copious amounts of alcohol, or have outstanding liver, pancreas, or intestinal issues should not be prescribed Viberzi.

Even though taking Viberzi with no gallbladder is potentially fatal, the manufacturing company may not have given patients enough information to make an informed decision about this issue. Patients without a gallbladder who were prescribed Viberzi and suffered pancreatitis could be eligible for compensation for their injuries. Patients can also potentially seek legal damages for negligence and failure to warn.