Januvia is a Type-2 diabetes drug developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck and approved for usage in the USA in 2006 by the FDA.  It is an oral medication intended to be used by patients with Type-2 diabetes, along with a strict diet and exercise program.  Januvia works by controlling blood sugar levels in Type-2 diabetes patients by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), an enzyme in the gut for breaking down hormones that stimulate the production of insulin.  The purpose of inhibiting the enzyme from breaking down the hormones too quickly is to allow other hormones, such as GLP-1 to last longer and in turn, stimulate more production of insulin.  In this case, the added insulin will help absorb more sugar and prevent dangerously high blood-sugar levels.  Patients with Type-2 diabetes are resistant to insulin, meaning their cells to not absorb enough blood-sugar from the blood stream.  This can lead to dangerously high blood-sugar levels.  The Januvia works to control the blood sugar level.

Severe Side Effects Have Been Linked to Januvia

Although side effects can be common for any type of prescription drug, sometimes side effects are so severe, it is more dangerous to continue taking the drug than to quit.  Sometimes side effects can be deadly, and irreversible.   Some of the most common of the serious side effects that have been associated with taking Januvia include:

  • Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
  • Acute Pancreatitis
  • Necrotizing Pancreatitis
  • Pancreatic Cancer

Some patients have even died as a result of taking Januvia and contracting one or more of the related problems involving the pancreas.  If you or a loved one has taken Januvia and experienced severe side effects or you have lost a loved one in a way that you believe is related to the prescription drug Januvia, you may have a case against the manufacturer of the drug.

If you have been taking the Type-2 diabetes drug Januvia and have experienced any of the following symptoms of pancreatitis, you should know that chronic pancreatitis is a known risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer.  The symptoms you need to watch for include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes moving to the back

A study published in the medical journal Gastroenterology in July of 2011 showed that patients taking Januvia were 2.7 times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than someone not taking the drug.

Do you have a Januvia Lawsuit?

If you or someone you love has taken the Type-2 diabetes drug Januvia and have suffered from severe or debilitating side effects of the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer, you may have a case.  It is important to contact a knowledgeable attorney regarding dangerous drugs.  Please contact us for more information on how to move your case forward.