Ariz. Woman Files Januvia Lawsuit Following Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis

Arizona plaintiff Bryce Dunscomb is suing Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. for the injuries she allegedly sustained from their type-2 diabetes drug, Januvia. Allegedly, as a direct result of using this drug, she developed pancreatic cancer.

According to her Januvia lawsuit, Dunscomb was initially prescribed Januvia on April 9, 2010, and continued to use it through July 2012. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on June 23, 2012, but continued to take Januvia through July because she was reportedly unaware of the drug’s association with pancreatic cancer. Once Dunscomb became aware of this correlation, she says she ceased the medication immediately and sought out legal assistance. Had she known about the possibility of developing Januvia pancreatic cancer, she says she never would have taken the medication.

Overview of Januvia Complications

Januvia is one of the best-selling drugs in the country, with sales reaching $919 million in the first quarter of 2012 alone. It is manufactured by Merck and was approved for the United States market on Oct. 17, 2006. Along with its older cousin, Janumet, Januvia was designed to be a type-2 diabetes treatment drug, which would ideally allow the patients to live a healthier and longer lifestyle. However, recent studies have linked Januvia, Janumet, Byetta and Victoza to the development of pancreatic cancer in patients.

Januvia is a part of a recently approved drug family called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which work by signaling the body to make more insulin, as well as leveling the body’s glucose and blood sugar levels, preventing diabetic attacks. DPP-4 inhibitors are some of the first drugs which inhibit certain incretins that level insulin, causing them to be popular among patients and medical experts. However, recent studies have raised concern in medical experts over what kind of side effects could occur in a patient from using Januvia and other DDP-4 inhibitors.

Multiple studies have indicated that patients who have used Januvia and Janumet had a stronger propensity for developing pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. One of these studies evaluated the occurrence rates of pancreatic cancer in patients who had previously used Januvia. The study concluded that this drug led to a 2.7 times greater risk of pancreatic cancer than other treatment drugs. Additionally, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has received thousands of injury reports indicating a possible correlation between the disease and the use of Januvia.

Many are concerned that the warning label for Januvia is inadequate and does not provide sufficient warning about the risk of pancreatic cancer. As a result, the number of Januvia pancreatic cancer lawsuits continues to rise. Dunscomb is one of the plaintiffs who says she suffered from this negligence and will have to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

This Januvia pancreatic cancer lawsuit is Bryce Dunscomb v. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Case No. 3:13-cv-02408-AJB-MDD, in the U.S. District C ourt for the Southern District of California.

File a Januvia Lawsuit

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a Januvia or Byetta complications, you have legal options. Please visit the Type-2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia & Byetta Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Januvia or Byetta lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The Januvia and Byetta attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.