Viberzi and pancreatitis—an inflammation of the pancreas which can sometimes become deadly—have been linked according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety alert released on March 15, 2017. Viberzi is a medication that was approved by the drug oversight agency on May 27, 2015, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a relatively common digestive disorder with unknown etiology. Its symptoms include indigestion, stomach upset or nausea, excessive gas production, the need to urgently empty bowels, diarrhea, constipation, and difficulty passing stools.

The pancreas is part of the alimentary system; it is a gland that produces digestive enzymes and other hormones which help the body nutritionally break down and absorb food as well as regulate blood sugar.

The pancreas has two different types of functions known as endocrine and exocrine. An endocrine gland secretes chemical messengers via a ductless system. An exocrine gland releases enzymes and hormones into ducts that carry them to other areas of the body or—in the case of skin—outside of it. When inflamed, the diagnosis is usually pancreatitis.

Viberzi and Pancreatitis

According to the FDA, Viberzi and pancreatitis are most often seen in patients that have had their gallbladder surgically removed—an operation known as a cholecystectomy. The safety communication regarding Viberzi and pancreatitis was based upon 120 adverse event reports logged with the agency since its approval.

After being prescribed the medication and taking it as instructed, all patients being reported on developed pancreatitis with two-thirds of them needing inpatient care. Nearly half—56 of them— had had previous cholecystectomies.

Two patients of this group ended up succumbing to either pancreatitis or complications stemming from it. Both of these deceased individuals no longer had gallbladders, took Viberzi and pancreatitis developed. The dosage in these two unfortunate cases was 75mg.

Mechanism of Action

The pancreatitis that has been linked to Viberzi seems to stem from a digestive system muscle spasm in the small intestine, according to the FDA’s safety alert.

This muscle spasm occurs in the sphincter of Oddi—a valve that works in coordination with the pancreas, small intestine, and gallbladder to hold back or deliver bile as needed. Bile helps to break down fats in the system.

Because of this malfunction, pancreatic digestive enzymes release outside of the small intestine and start to break down the pancreas as if it were food.

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

If you take Viberzi and pancreatitis development is a concern for you, be on the lookout for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, appetite changes, abdominal pain. If you notice these symptoms, contact a doctor. Over time, serious injury can occur from this disorder than can affect the major organ systems of the body.

Filing a Viberzi and pancreatitis lawsuit can help you regain monies lost by having to pay high medical and hospitalization bills and reimburse you for any wages lost while unable to work.