A class action investigation has been launched against the manufacturer of the Viberzi medication after numerous patients had allegedly developed pancreatitis when prescribed Viberzi without gallbladder. When patients who have had their gallbladder removed take Viberzi, it may increase the chances of pancreatitis and can cause life-threatening medical problems.

The FDA has warned against taking Viberzi without gallbladder in patients who have undergone a cholecystectomy. The FDA released an official warning for this on March 15, 2017, stating that patients that were prescribed Viberzi after having their gallbladder removed were hospitalized or died from pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, which can also cause complications in the heart, lungs, and kidneys. At the time the FDA released this warning, the agency reportedly received 120 injury reports from patients who had taken Viberzi without gallbladder.

According to the FDA, approximately 78 percent of the patients prescribed the Viberzi medication had to be hospitalized and that 56 patients had undergone a cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery. Two patients had reportedly died from pancreatitis, which spurred major concern to the FDA. The FDA further noted that pancreatitis can develop after just two doses of the Viberzi medication.

Overview of Viberzi Side Effects

Viberzi (eluxadoline) medication is typically prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), which impacts the large intestine and causes the patient to suffer symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

The Viberzi medication treats this condition by decreasing bowel movements in the body, which helps reduce the other symptoms. However, this treatment mechanism has been allegedly causing pancreatitis to develop in patients without gallbladders, due to adverse biological reactions.

The Viberzi drug’s treatment mechanism may cause spasms in the sphincter of Oddi, which is the valve that controls the bile flow between the pancreas, gallbladder, and small intestine. When the spasms occur, digestive enzymes from the pancreas are released before they reached the small intestines and causes the pancreas to deteriorate.

Pancreatitis is a potentially fatal condition and should be treated as soon as possible, so patients prescribed Viberzi with no gallbladder should be wary of
the following symptoms:

• Abdominal Pain
• Back Pain
• Accelerated Heart Rate
• Fever
• Decreased Appetite
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Weight Loss

Given the severity of the medical complications, the FDA further recommended that the Viberzi medication not be prescribed to patients if they are contending with the following conditions:

• Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption
• Chronic Constipation
• Digestive Problems caused by Sphincter Oddi Muscle Valve
• Gallbladder Obstruction
• Intestinal Obstruction
• Liver Disease
• Pancreatic Complications

Even though taking Viberzi without gallbladder could be potentially fatal for patients, the manufacturing company allegedly failed to warn the general public.

Patients who developed pancreatitis after being prescribed Viberzi medication may be eligible to file legal action against the company for failing to warn them against potential drug complications. Potential claimants can seek compensation for any damages caused by Viberzi medication, including counts of negligence and failure to warn. These damages can be used to cover any medical expenses, missed work, loss of earnings, and other expenses attributable to Viberzi complications.