In patients without a gallbladder, Viberzi drug for IBS may be among pancreatitis causes.

The Viberzi drug is a medicine used to treat irritable bowl syndrome, a condition of unknown cause that results in digestive problems. Though the drug may provide relief to patients with IBS, it may come with serious side effects for some patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns patients that the drug may be linked to pancreatitis in patients who have had their gallbladder removed.

If you have pancreatitis and had your gallbladder removed in the past, your pancreatitis may be connected to your use of the Viberzi drug. The Viberzi pancreatitis warning issued by the FDA should be taken seriously by users of the drug, as pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, and can be serious — even life threatening.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• back pain
• abdominal pain
• elevated heart rate
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• weight loss
• fever
• sweating

In its most severe form, pancreatitis causes damage to the heart, lung, and kidneys.

The Viberzi drug treats irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) by decreasing bowel contractions. This helps to reduce diarrhea symptoms.

However, the drug may also cause the sphincter of the Oddi valve to spasm. The Oddi valve is the valve that controls the flow of bile between the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the small intestine. These spasms activate pancreatic enzymes before they reach the small intestine. This can cause these enzymes to effectively digest, or break down, the pancreas itself.

In March 2017, the FDA reported that patients who had had their gallbladder removed and had taken the Viberzi drug had been hospitalized or had died from pancreatitis. At that time, the federal agency had received reports of 120 cases of Viberzi pancreatitis, the majority of which occurred in patients who had had their gallbladder removed. The Viberzi FDA warning noted that even just two doses of Viberzi can result in pancreatitis.

If you suffered from pancreatitis and have previously had your gallbladder removed, you may have a legal claim. Experienced lawyers can help you determine if you qualify for a Viberzi pancreatitis causes lawsuit. Even if you took the drug only briefly, your pancreatitis may have been caused by your use of the Viberzi drug.

The Viberzi FDA warning notes that patients who experienced any of the following should not take Viberzi:

• gallbladder removal
• obstruction of the gallbladder
• obstruction of the intestine
• chronic constipation
• digestive problems caused by the Oddi muscle valve sphincter
• having more than three alcoholic drinks per day
• liver disease
• pancreatic issues

Joining a Viberzi lawsuit could help you recuperate compensation you deserve. Patients who submit legal claims in a Viberzi lawsuit can receive compensation for physical injury by the drug, pain and suffering, as well as financial injury caused by medical bills, lost wages incurred from missed work, etc. Additionally, if applicable, patients may be able to seek punitive damages for the severe side effects of the Viberzi drug.