Many of those who have taken the Type 2 diabetic drug, Victoza, may be wondering whether they are entitled to file a Victoza lawsuit to recover expenses related to adverse health symptoms developed after starting the drug. Victoza, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, gained FDA approval in 2010, although there were two FDA pharmacologists and one FDA Clinical Safety Reviewer who were opposed to approving the drug until further studies had been done. This March, a Drug Safety Communication was sent out to alert the public to a potential risk of Victoza in the development of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer.
How Victoza Works
Victoza works by mimicking GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body which stimulates the pancreas, prompting it to release insulin into the bloodstream. Victoza has also been found to reduce appetite, creating weight loss in many of those taking the drug and, in fact, Novo Nordisk is now attempting to have the drug approved for the treatment of obesity by 2014. Victoza is injected into the body once daily unlike other injectable drugs which require injection prior to breakfast and prior to dinner. Also unlike other drugs, Victoza dosage is not dependent upon the patient’s activity level or what foods are eaten.
Pancreatic Risks of Victoza
Soon after Victoza was approved, adverse reports began coming in, and several studies have linked the drug to six times the risk of pancreatitis, almost three times the risk of pancreatic cancer and approximately four times the risk of thyroid cancer. Drugs which mimic GLP-1 may inflame the pancreas and overstimulate the organ leading to pancreatitis. Those with a history of pancreatitis have a much greater chance of developing pancreatic cancer—one of the harder-to-treat types of cancer with a low survival rate. A consumer advocacy group, Public Citizen, called for the removal of Victoza in 2012, and a study published in Diabetes in May, 2012 concluded Victoza could be directly responsible for the development of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.
Why Hasn’t Victoza Been Recalled?
Victoza happens to be an extremely lucrative drug for Novo Nordisk, bringing in over $350 million dollars per quarter. Despite the public outcry for a recall, no such recall has been issued, although many believe a recall of Victoza is inevitable. Rosalie Duhon filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Victoza, Januvia and Byetta—all three similar drugs for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes—alleging failure to warn, breach of warranty, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment and designing defective drugs. Duhon has stated publicly that she would not have consented to take any of these drugs had she known of the increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Ms. Duhon took the drugs at different times from 2006 to 2010 when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Victoza Lawsuits on the Horizon?
In another suit, Plaintiff Moses Scott filed against the three manufacturers of Victoza, Byetta and Januvia as the surviving brother of Regina Kelly who was also diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October, 2010. Both plaintiffs are requesting all similar cases be consolidated and transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Although no lawsuits have been filed specifically against Novo Nordisk for damages resulting from taking Victoza, it is widely believed that the lawsuits will begin coming in, particularly should the drug be recalled.
Do You Need a Victoza Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer?
Knowledgeable Victoza pancreatic cancer lawyers who have a thorough understanding of the statute of limitations for these types of cases can offer comprehensive evaluations to those who have been harmed by the drug.