A recent government announcement warns that Viberzi side effects might include the development of pancreatitis for patients who have had a gallbladder removed. Viberzi medication is prescribed for the treatment of abdominal pain and diarrhea in individuals with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

According to a recent warning announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), patients without a gallbladder may be at increased risk for a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis.

Symptoms of pancreatitis associated with Viberzi medication could include some of the following:

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

Overview: Viberzi Side Effects

Viberzi medication (eluxadoline) is prescribed to treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. This is known as IBS-D. Symptoms of having IBS-D can include gas, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. To help decrease diarrhea because of IBS-D, Viberzi medication reduces or inhibits bowel contractions, thus reducing these symptoms.

However, if a patient has any of the following they should not take Viberzi medication:

• Chronic constipation
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic issues
• Intestinal obstruction
• Digestive problems caused by sphincter of Oddi muscle valve
• Gallbladder obstruction
• History of cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
• Drinking more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day

Viberzi side effects may cause the sphincter of Oddi to spasm. This may lead to other severe side effects. For example, this sphincter is what controls bile from flowing between the gallbladder and small intestine and pancreas. Spasms may cause enzymes that become released from the pancreas to become activated too soon before they reach the small intestine. This causes the enzymes to tear down the pancreas.

A communication was released by the FDA on Mar. 15, 2017 pertaining to adverse side effects of Viberzi medication, including the development of pancreatitis. According to the FDA, patients who had taken Viberzi medication reportedly were hospitalized or died after they had undergone a gallbladder removal procedure, or cholecystectomy.

From May 2015 through February 2017, the FDA says it received almost 120 reports of Viberzi medication patients who developed pancreatitis. There were seventy-six patients who required hospitalization after taking Viberzi medication. Fifty-six patients also underwent a cholecystectomy procedure.

There are many symptoms of pancreatitis. Some of these symptoms include back pain, abdominal pain, fast heart rate, fever, loss of appetite, sweating, vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. Severe pancreatitis can lead to other serious complications affecting the kidneys, lung, and heart.

According to the FDA’s communication, pancreatitis symptoms have been reported after just one or two doses of Viberzi medication. Of the 120 Viberzi medication reports, two patients died after reporting that they had taken the drug after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery. At the time of death, they were taking 75 mg of Viberzi medication dosage, the FDA says.

If you or a loved one developed pancreatitis because of Viberzi medication, a lawsuit may help cover damages for appropriate punitive damages; lost wages incurred; pain and suffering; and past and future medical expenses.