Information about the Pancreas
Although diabetics do have a greater overall risk of developing pancreatitis, the latest studies seem to support the fact that the DPP-4 Inhibitor Januvia, a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may significantly increase the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer among users. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach with a function of secreting digestive enzymes into the intestine to aid digestion. The pancreas also releases insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream with a goal of regulating the metabolism of blood glucose.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed, pancreatitis can result; when digestive enzymes are activated prior to being secreted into the stomach those enzymes can attack the pancreas, causing inflammation and resulting in damage. Should that inflammation occur quickly, acute pancreatitis is the result with a range of symptoms from mild abdominal pain to severe, even life-threatening pancreatic disease.
DPP-4 Inhibitor Januvia and Pancreatic Cancer
While pancreatitis will generally result in a swollen and tender abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, an increased heart rate and upper abdominal pain which radiates to the back, symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be less obvious. In fact, pancreatic cancer may go undetected until it has advanced to the point that it is difficult to treat. Januvia is a drug manufactured by Merck and used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes—along with diet and exercise. Januvia is a DPP-4 inhibitor. In other words, Januvia (sitagliptin) blocks dipeptidyl peptidase-4, or DPP-4 which allows the body to control glucose levels more efficiently. Excess sugar produced by the liver can also be lowered through the use of Januvia.
DPP-4 Inhibitor Januvia and Adverse FDA Reports
Soon after the FDA approved Januvia in 2006 reports began coming in to the FDA regarding Januvia patients who had developed acute pancreatitis soon after starting the drug. Januvia diabetic drug dangers continued to mount with at least 88 reports of pancreatitis among Januvia users, 66 of whom required admittance to the hospital. In over half these patients their symptoms of pancreatitis ceased when Januvia was discontinued.
Other DPP-4 Inhibitor Januvia Side Effects
Other incidents of severe allergic reactions as well as the occurrence of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome were also reported to the FDA. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a skin condition which, in rare instances, can cause fatalities. Nineteen of the 88 patients developed acute pancreatitis within thirty days of beginning Januvia, leading researchers to conclude the side effects could occur quickly. A UCLA study, based on the FDA reports was detailed in the journal Gastroenterology, concluding that those taking Januvia had almost six times the risk of developing pancreatitis as those not taking the drug and 2.9 times the risk of pancreatic cancer.
In addition to the risks of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, at least one study indicates an increase in thyroid cancer among those taking Januvia.
How DPP-4 Januvia Attorneys Can Help
These Januvia dangers and risks can be significant; those who find that the drug they believed to be safe was actually not, should contact an experienced attorney to discuss a potential lawsuit against Merck, the manufacturer of Januvia. Many believe that Merck failed to warn patients about the potential hazards associated with Januvia in order to continue to market this extremely lucrative drug. Victims of this drug may be entitled to fair compensation for their injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering.
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