California Man Sues Merck for Father’s Januvia Cancer Death

California plaintiff Jeffery Lynn Walker is suing Merck & Co. for the wrongful death of his father, Curtis Glynn Walker. His father’s death was from pancreatic cancer, allegedly caused by taking the type-2 diabetes medications Januvia and Janumet.

According to the Januvia lawsuit, Curtis Walker had been prescribed Janumet and Januvia in 2006 to help control his blood sugar levels from his type-2 diabetes, and had continued to use them up until August 2012. It was on August 14, 2012, that Curtis was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he later died from on December 7, 2012. 

Upon further investigation into his father’s death, the plaintiff discovered that a potential side effect of Januvia and Janumet is the development of pancreatic cancer. After discovering this, Walker sued Merck & Co. for the wrongful death of his father, plus additional punitive damages. Walker states that had he, his father, or his father’s physician known that Januvia or Janumet could cause pancreatic cancer, his father would not have taken the medication. 

Walker is suing Merck for negligence, medical compensation, pain and suffering, and other punitive damages for allegedly manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing a dangerous product.

Overview of Janumet/Januvia Complications

While Walker’s case is tragic, it is by no means uncommon. Over the years, the FDA has been receiving an increasing number of Januvia and Janumet injury reports, indicating that these drugs caused users to develop pancreatic cancer. Januvia and Janumet are some of the most popular drugs used to treat type-2 diabetes. They work by inciting incretin levels to help regulate the body’s blood sugar levels, which is why they’re often referred to as “incretin mimetics.”

Januvia was approved by the FDA on October 16, 2006, to be used a type-2 diabetes treatment medication. Ideally, with diet and exercise, Januvia was designed to prolong a patient’s life as well as help them stick to their typical routine. Janumet was approved a little as less than a year later on March 30, 2007, for the same purposes as Januvia. The main difference between the drugs is the amount of sitagliptin phosphate they contain. Sitagliptin has been suspected to be the main component for causing pancreatic cancer in patients.

As of now, it is unknown as to why this reaction occurs in some patients, but some medical experts believe it has to do with how the incretin hormones in the body are enticed to make insulin for the body. According to researchers at the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), DDP-4 inhibitors — the drug family that Januvia and Janumet are a part of – are known to cause pancreatic cancer in some users. This dangerous side effect of the drugs is not considered a rare occurrence, according to the lawsuit. 

At this time, Januvia and Janumet’s warning labels do not include the risk of pancreatic cancer, despite FDA researchers finding that the drugs are six times more likely to cause pancreatic cancer in patients, compared to other diabetes drugs.

Januvia Litigation Movement

Type-2 diabetes remains one of the major health challenges of the 22st century, and is one of the most frequent causes of blindness, amputations and dialysis around the world. It is currently estimated that more than 350 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide. 

With such staggering numbers, it is important that Merck updates Janumet and Januvia’s labeling to include possible development of pancreatic cancer, Walker says in this lawsuit. At this time, thousands of patients across the United States are suing Merck for this reason. Walker’s case is currently still pending.

The Januvia/Janumet cancer lawsuit is Jeffery Lynn Walker v. Merck & Co., Case 3:13-cv-02212-AJB-MDD, in the United States District Court of Western Louisiana. 

Obtain a Free Januvia Lawsuit Review

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a pancreatic injury caused by Januvia, Janumet or similar diabetes medication, you have legal options. Please visit the Type-2 Diabetes Drugs: Januvia, Byetta, Victoza Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a skilled Januvia cancer 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 cancer lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.