Oral diabetes medications can help to regulate patients’ blood sugar and insulin levels, an important facet of diabetic health. And while medications like Januvia (active ingredient sitagliptin) are intended to provide patients with a safe way of managing type II diabetes, these drugs pose dangerous health risks. In fact, Januvia has been linked with an increased risk of both pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Many victims have been filing Januvia lawsuits as a result.  

Serious Side Effects of Januvia

 The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warns that taking Januvia can lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which “may be severe and lead to death.” The symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Upper abdominal pain;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Fever; and
• Increased heart rate.

Januvia has also been linked to the development of pancreatic cancer, which has a very low survival rate – the five year survival rate for pancreatic cancer at stage IA is 14 percent; at stage IV, the survival rate is only one percent. Another side effects of Januvia that patients should be aware of is the risk of developing kidney problems, which may be severe enough to warrant dialysis.  

When Januvia Causes Patient Injury and Death

Taking Januvia can cause serious patient injury and death. When this occurs, a patient has the right to file a lawsuit directly against Januvia’s manufacturer, Merck & Co. alleging that the company failed to conduct proper testing, failed to issue a proper warning about the risks of developing pancreatitis, and manufactured a defective drug unsafe for patient use.  

Do I Have the Right to file a januvia lawsuit?

If you have been harmed as a direct result of taking Januvia, a consultation with a pharmaceutical litigation attorney can help you understand whether or not you have a cause of action to file a Januvia lawsuit against Merck & Co. At Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC, our experienced defective drug attorneys can also help you to estimate how much your case may be worth, and also help you to file your claim. To ensure that you take action within your state’s statute of limitations, call us today to schedule your first appointment. The consultation is free.