If you took the IBS Viberzi drug and developed pancreatitis, you may have a legal claim. The FDA has warned about a link between Viberzi dosing and pancreatitis in patients without a gallbladder.

Viberzi is a prescription drug used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. It works by decreasing bowel contractions to reduce diarrhea symptoms. However, patients report that Viberzi dosing can do more harm than good.

Patient reports show that the drug can cause the sphincter of Oddi to spasm. The sphincter of Oddi is the valve that controls the flow of bile between the pancreas, gallbladder, and small intestine, so the spams can cause digestive enzymes made in the pancreas to activate before they reach the small intestine. This can be damaging because this causes the enzymes to break down the pancreas itself.

Experts say that patients with any of the following conditions should not take the Viberzi drug:

• Consuming more than three alcoholic beverages per day
• Chronic constipation
• Digestive problems caused by the sphincter of Oddi muscle valve
• Gallbladder obstruction
• History of cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
• Intestinal obstruction
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic issues

Additionally, patients without a gallbladder were reportedly at risk of developing pancreatitis after taking the Viberzi drug.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. The condition can be life-threatening. Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, back pain, elevated heart rate, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, sweating, vomiting, and weight loss. In severe cases, pancreatitis can cause damage to the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Reportedly, pancreatitis can develop even if a patient has only taken two doses of the Viberzi drug.

The FDA released a warning in 2017 that numerous patients who had undergone gallbladder removal surgery and had taken Viberzi drug had been hospitalized from pancreatitis. 120 patient reports of pancreatitis linked to Viberzi dosing had been reported at the time. Allegedly, two of these patients died from pancreatitis they developed, and seventy-six patients required hospitalization.

If you took the Viberzi drug, even for a short time, you may have a legal claim. Some patients may not know that they have developed side effects from Viberzi dosing. Symptoms of pancreatitis that can develop from Viberzi drug use include:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Fast heart rate
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

It is possible that the drug’s makers did not sufficiently warn patients or medical professionals of the side effects of the Viberzi drug. Patient reports and information suggest that the makers knew or should have known that the drug was dangerous but still marketed it. If this is the case, legal action could hold the drug company accountable for patient injury.

If you took the Viberzi drug and are experiencing strange symptoms or side effects, a consultation with an experienced Viberzi lawyer can help you determine if you have a legal claim. Filing a legal claim or joining a Viberzi lawsuit can help you gain compensation for the physical, emotional, or financial injury you incurred from your use of the Viberzi drug.