Januvia, Related Diabetes Drugs Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

Januvia, Related Diabetes Drugs Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

By Robert J. Boumis

Januvia and related drugs like Victoza and Byetta have been linked to cancer in some patients. The pharmaceutical companies behind these drugs are facing dozens of lawsuits alleging they hid this risk from the public and medical community.

Januvia and related drugs are designed to treat type-2 diabetes, lessening the chance of serious complications associated with this disease. However, a number of studies have found that drugs of this class may be linked to pancreatic cancer. 

Pancreatic cancer is a particularly pernicious neoplasm. Since the pancreas has very few pain receptors, patients typically show no symptoms until the cancer has developed considerably. Usually, the cancer has already spread by this point, making successful treatment unlikely. In fact, roughly 90 percent of patients with pancreatic cancer die within a year of their diagnosis.

Numerous lawsuits have been launched against the manufacturers of Januvia and related drugs. These lawsuits allege that the drugs’ manufacturers knew — or reasonably should have known – about the risk of serious complications associated with these drugs, including pancreatic cancer.

These lawsuits hold that manufacturers’ due diligence required them to monitor post-market surveillance systems like the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System, peer-reviewed journal articles and clinical trials, which should have revealed the possible link. The lawsuits further allege that the manufacturers not only failed to act on this information, but actively concealed it by downplaying the risks and preventing patients and their health care providers from having all of the information they needed to make informed medical decisions.

If you or someone you care about took Januvia, Byetta, Victoza or related diabetes drugs and went on to develop cancer of the pancreas, you may feel very overwhelmed. The diagnosis of cancer is a scary situation that requires adaptation in every aspect of your life. In addition to the emotional toll of such a situation, this diagnosis comes with serious financial burdens, including medical costs and lost wages. And unfortunately, many patients with cancer die, causing the surviving family members to be faced with final expenses and lost income potential.

When facing such a situation, it’s very normal to feel stress and even a degree of depression. But you need to remember that regardless of the situation you’ve found yourself facing, you still have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain a measure of control over your situation. 

You can start by visiting the Type 2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia, Byetta, Victoza Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Here, you can enter information about your situation for a legal review by a trained expert with a background in this type of situation. The initial consultation is completely free of charge and from here, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your specific situation.