Januvia/Byetta Pancreas Victims Want to Consolidate Lawsuits

According to research conducted by the Journal for the American Medical Association (JAMA), taking Byetta or Januvia can double a person’s risk for developing pancreatic cancer. When the pancreas is inflamed, it can result in life-threatening situations. Since Januvia and Byetta are prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, many people take these drugs for years. Nearly 100 million Americans are treating type 2 diabetes, and it’s likely that the number will continue to increase. Diabetes prevention and management is a $20 billion per year industry.

Januvia Lawsuit Consolidation

The request to centralize these Januvia lawsuits will happen in southern California if it’s honored. The other option is consolidating the lawsuits into four different cases to address Januvia, Byetta, Janumet and Victoza separately. However, since the makeup of these drugs are very similar and the side effects nearly identical, it makes sense to the plaintiffs to keep them together. This approach will also provide a sense of comfort to the victims and their families.

In 2008, the FDA caught wind of something amiss with the use of Byetta. Six people suffered hemorrhaging pancreatitis while taking Byetta, and all of them needed hospitalization. Two of the Byetta patients died, and the FDA urged the manufacturer to provide appropriate warnings, including asking physicians to keep an eye on pancreatitis symptoms in patients taking Byetta.  

Johns Hopkins followed up with additional research and found that 87 of 1,000 type 2 diabetes patients developed pancreatic problems — and all of them were taking Byetta.

The Byetta/Januvia Pancreatitis Allegations

In general, victims of Byetta and Januvia pancreatitis and cancer suffered similar side effects. In the blossoming multidistrict case, the plaintiffs say that the makers of Januvia and Byetta knew about the high risk of pancreatitis, but chose not to warn doctors and patients. In fact, it’s alleged that the manufacturers knew that patients have a much higher risk of dying from pancreatitis for years — at least since the FDA urged additional warning labels be included.

The Januvia injury lawsuits are just now heating up, and it’s expected that oral arguments will begin in late May 2013 at a hearing session in Louisville, Kentucky. There is still time for additional Januvia and Byetta victims to come forward. If someone has type 2 diabetes, there’s a very good chance that they’ve been prescribed one of these drugs in an effort to manage the disease.

Did You Suffer from Januvia Pancreas Problems?

If you’re diabetic and have been prescribed Januvia or Byetta — and suffered side effects to pancreas or thyroid — you might have a Januvia legal claim. These drugs have been on the market for many years and have likely impacted many more people than the impending Byetta lawsuit suggests. If you or a loved one have suffered pancreatitis or thyroid cancer while taking Byetta or Januvia, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering.

Medical bills related to an inflamed pancreas can be staggering. Visit the Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia, Byetta Class Action Lawsuit Investigation site today to find out more about your legal rights. A helpful representative is available to provide you with a free, no-pressure Januvia claim review. If you’ve been hurt by Januvia or Byetta, it’s time to take action.