Louisiana Woman Files Byetta Lawsuit Over Pancreatic Cancer

Johnson alleges that the Byetta injections not only caused her pancreatic cancer, but that the drug makers failed to warn her about the potential risk of developing this devastating condition. Johnson started taking Byetta injections in December 2006 for her type-2 diabetes, and continued to use them through May 2010, according to her lawsuit.

She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for her medical complications for claims of:

• Failure to warn to public of Byetta side effects
• Designing a defective product
• Negligence
• Breach of warranty
• Fraudulent concealment

Diabetes Drug Lawsuits Grow

There are currently hundreds of Byetta lawsuits across the country, all alleging that Amylin and Eli Lilly knew or should have known about the effect that Byetta can have on the pancreas. Various studies have demonstrated that Byetta increased the risk of pancreatic cancer, and the FDA recently started an investigation into the possible link between incretin mimetic diabetes drugs and the cancer. European health officials have taken similar action. All incretin mimetics are being scrutinized, including the popular drug Januvia.

Both Januvia and Byetta have been promoted as safe and effective forms of treatment, useful for both regulating blood sugar and fighting against obesity. However, evidence from research, clinical trials and adverse event reports show that Januvia and Byetta may be associated with not only cancer of the pancreas, but also an increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Studies Link Januvia to Various Types of Cancer

The active ingredient in Januvia is sitagliptin, a drug which inhibits an enzyme called DPP-4. This enzyme regulates insulin and can regulate blood sugar levels. However, this enzyme has also been associated with cancers of the skin, prostate, ovaries, brain cells, and lung in animal studies. A medical study revealed that patients who took Januvia reported thyroid and pancreatic cancer at a slightly higher rate than the other drugs involved in the study.

As for Byetta, exenatide is the main component in its chemical makeup. Exenatide activates GLP-1 receptors, which are responsible for insulin release and blood sugar control. Studies have shown that activation of GLP-1 receptors have also been found to potentially cause higher cancer levels.

Consolidation Sought for Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawsuits

Currently, there is a motion was filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), seeking to consolidate all pancreatic cancer lawsuits that were caused allegedly from Byetta, Victoza, Januvia and Janumet. The JPML is scheduled to hear the first oral arguments for the consolidation on July 25, 2013, in Portland, Maine. If granted, the Januvia lawsuit MDL would be centralized in the Southern District of California, in San Diego.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Byetta or Januvia injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Januvia, Byetta, Type-2 Diabetes Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a season 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 or Byetta attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.