Januvia Linked to Increased Risk of Cancer

Diabetes Patients at Risk of Developing Serious Januvia Side Effects

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is scrutinizing the type-2 diabetes medication Januvia, manufactured by Merck, amid concerns that the drug may increase the risk of patients developing Januvia thyroid cancer or pancreatic cancer. Januvia was initially approved by the FDA in 2006 to help patients with type-2 diabetes control their blood sugar.

Multiple studies have linked this diabetes medication to serious Januvia side effects, including an increased risk of developing Januvia thyroid cancer or pancreatic cancer. Other common Januvia side effects include:

• Sore throat
• Headache
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Joint or muscle pain

Plaintiffs Accuse Merck of Failing to Warn about Januvia Health Risks

Many people who have developed Januvia thyroid cancer have filed lawsuits, alleging that Merck knew about the increased cancer risk but failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the dangers. Due to the large number of Januvia lawsuits, lawyers have requested that the U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidate the cases in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Merck recently agreed to have the lawsuits transferred to federal court. When lawsuits are consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), one federal judge handles all of the pretrial proceedings. MDL streamlines the legal process for similar cases, creating more efficiency and consistency in the pretrial process.

While these lawsuits were filed by plaintiffs who suffered Januvia pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, mounting evidence suggests that Januvia may be linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer. A recent study released by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) found a direct link between Januvia and thyroid cancer. One study from the University of California, Los Angeles found that patients who took Januvia may experience a 48 percent higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Januvia Lawsuits Seek to Hold Merck Accountable for Product Safety

Many people have filed Januvia lawsuits, claiming that Merck knew of the dangerous Januvia side effects but failed to warn doctors and patients about them. As a result, they have suffered from significant health problems, including Januvia thyroid cancer and pancreatitis. By filing Januvia lawsuits, these plaintiffs are helping to hold Merck accountable for their product safety. If their lawsuits are successful, they could be entitled to receive compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages.

If you or someone you love has experienced thyroid cancer or other serious side effects after taking Januvia, you may be eligible to file a Januvia lawsuit. To find out more about your legal options, visit the Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia, Byetta Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. You could receive significant compensation for your Januvia injuries.