Ohio Couple Sues Byetta Manufacturer for Husband’s Cancer
By Amanda Antell
Ohio couple Nick Linamen and Sharon Linamen are suing Amylin Pharmaceuticals for the injuries Nick allegedly sustained from taking their type-2 diabetes drug Byetta. He alleges that he developed cancer as a result of taking Byetta.
Linamen first started taking Byetta on Jan. 5, 2007, to help manage the symptoms of his type-2 diabetes. He continued to take the medication through January 2008. Several years after his prescription, he was diagnosed with cancer on Nov. 3, 2011. It was after his diagnosis that he and his wife learned that Byetta was heavily associated with the development of a variety of health problems, including pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and thyroid cancer.
At no point in time was the plaintiff, his wife, or their physicians were aware of this possible development, nor were they made aware of the dangers of Byetta pancreatic cancer, the lawsuit says. There were no warnings or indications on the drug’s label, and the defendant company made no effort to notify him, the lawsuit continues. Linamen states that if had he known about this possibility, he never would have taken the medication.
Now Linamen must face chemotherapy, frequent medical checkups, and a heavy inflow of medical bills. The plaintiff and his wife agree that Amylin had the responsibility to warn them about these Byetta side effects, because they were relying on the information given to them by the company. Therefore, Amylin is liable for his injuries, they claim.
So for being directly responsible for manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing a dangerous drug, Linamen is suing Amylin Pharmaceuticals. The charges include: negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.
Overview of Byetta Complications
Currently, type-2 diabetes is considered one of the major health concerns of the 21st century, with an estimated number of over 350 million patients worldwide. Diabetes remains the world’s most common cause of blindness, amputations, and dialysis.
Byetta is a member of a recently approved family called, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). They are therapeutic drugs to help treat the symptoms of type-2 diabetes. This drug works by signaling incretins in the body to manage insulin and blood-sugar levels in the body, which then prevents diabetic attacks. With undeniable popularity, Byetta is regarded highly by the patient community, but has recently faced adversity with the medical community. Thousands of people across the country are accusing Amylin of deliberately selling a dangerous drug to the public, despite having full awareness of this drug possibly causing side effects such as pancreatic cancer.
Statistics gather from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) have indicated a strong correlation between Byetta and several adverse reactions; the most common of these side effects was, pancreatitis. This was a huge concern for medical experts because this condition often leads to pancreatic cancer, which is considered one of the most aggressive cancers by the medical community. While thyroid cancer has also been indicated, such by Linamen, it has not nearly been as common as pancreatic cancer, and is therefore considered more uncommon.
Regardless of which side effects plaintiffs suffer from, the fact does not change regarding the insufficient warning labels of the drug. Had there been adequate language on Byetta’s warning label, these plaintiffs most likely could have avoided such injury.
Linamen and his wife feel similarly, and are currently seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical compensation, and other punitive charges.
This case is Nick & Sharon Linamen v. Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Case 3:13-cv-02650-AJB-MDD, in the United States District Court of Southern California.
File a Byetta Cancer Lawsuit
If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a Januvia or Byetta complications, you have legal options. Please visit the Type-2 Diabetes Drugs Januvia & Byetta Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned 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 and Byetta attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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