There are many pancreatitis causes, but many IBS patients do not know that IBS medication Viberzi could be one of the meds that cause pancreatitis.

What is IBS Medication Viberzi?

IBS medication Viberzi is a medication used to treat patients who suffer from irritable bowel system, or IBS. IBS is a condition that plagues an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the American population. However, only 5 to 7 percent of American adults have been diagnosed with IBS. This affects between 25 million and 45 million Americans each year, two-thirds of which are female.

IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort, as well as chronic diarrhea and constipation. Those who suffer from IBS often need medication. IBS medication Viberzi has only been available for use in the United States since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2015.

However, those who take IBS medication Viberzi have only recently become aware that it may be one of the meds that cause pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis symptoms include weight loss, back pain, abdominal pain, fever, increased heart rate, appetite loss, vomiting, sweating and nausea.

There are many pancreatitis causes. According to the Mayo Clinic, these pancreatitis causes include:

• Alcoholism
• Gallstones
• Abdominal surgery
• Certain medications
• Cigarette smoking
• Cystic fibrosis
• Family history of pancreatitis
• High calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which may be caused by an overactive parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
• High triglyceride levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
• Infection
• Injury to the abdomen
• Pancreatic cancer

Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA suggest that Viberzi may be among these pancreatitis causes, especially for patients who’ve had their gallbladder removed. In March 2017, the FDA issued a safety communication that IBS medication Viberzi, generically known as eluxadoline, is linked to an increased risk of pancreatitis in persons who have undergone a cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal.

The FDA says, “An FDA review found these patients have an increased risk of developing serious pancreatitis that could result in hospitalization or death. Pancreatitis may be caused by spasm of a certain digestive system muscle in the small intestine.”

This risk is especially significant for those patients who have had a gallbladder removed. The FDA reports that, between the approval date in 2015 and 2017, the agency has received 120 reports of pancreatitis or even death.

“Among the 68 patients who reported their gallbladder status, 56 of them did not have a gallbladder and received the currently recommended dosage of Viberzi. Seventy-six patients were hospitalized, of which two patients died. These two patients did not have a gallbladder.”

They advise those patients who do not have a gallbladder to not take IBS medication Viberzi. The FDA is currently working with manufacturer, Allergan, to address the problem of Viberzi and pancreatitis.

If you have taken IBS medication Viberzi and suspect you may be suffering from pancreatitis, you may be eligible to file a pancreatitis causes lawsuit. While legal compensation may not be able to take away the pain and suffering caused by pancreatitis, it may help to alleviate medical costs and lost wages