Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Note Correlation Between Type-2 Diabetes Drugs Byetta And Januvia And Pancreatitis & Pancreatic Cancer

CHICAGO, IL, May 20, 2013

There has been increasing concern over the link between pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer to drugs that were initially thought to be breakthroughs in the treating of Type-2 diabetes. Both Byetta and Januvia have been under scrutiny by the FDA with continued reports of pancreatitis in patients since their approval and further research is also linking them to possible pancreatic cancer. Now the optimism that surrounded their possibilities in treating diabetes patients is beginning to be transformed to fear.

Both Byetta and Januvia are drugs in the incretin mimetic classification and are used to mimic incretin production to spur the release of insulin in the body. Although the drugs work in different ways, with Byetta actually mimicking the incretin hormones and Januvia preventing incretin destruction, they both have similar affects. By increasing insulin, blood sugar can be lowered and regulated for Type-2 diabetes patients.

Unfortunately, it was shortly after their approval by the FDA that there was concern over their negative affect on the pancreas. Byetta was approved in 2005 and Januvia in 2006. In the following years, the FDA began releasing alerts and warnings due to the high number of reports of pancreatitis in patients using the drugs. Some studies showed that users of the drugs can be up to six-times higher to contract pancreatitis and even pancreatic cancer.

The FDA stood up and took even more notice when another research study found pre-cancerous cellular changes called pancreatic duct metaplasia in pancreas samples that were taken from deceased diabetic patients that had used incretin mimetic drugs. In March 2013, the FDA released another alert regarding these findings and vowed to continue researching the data.

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are extremely serious conditions. Pancreatitis is a painful inflammation of the pancreas that can even cause death and also puts patients at a higher risk for pancreatic cancer. One of the most deadly and aggressive cancers, a victim of pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis of recovery, even when caught in the early stages.

As can be expected, there are many patients and families that are outraged that they have exposed to the risk of pancreatic cancer. The first Byetta lawsuit was filed back in 2008 and many others have followed, with Januvia lawsuits as well. Although none have been to trial yet, it is only a matter of time before these drugs see the inside of a courtroom.

The most disappointing aspect of the downfall of these drugs is that they were thought to be a beacon of light for diabetes patients and instead have already brought disease and death for many. Over the next few months and years, it can be assured that more will be learned on exactly how much harm these drugs have caused for their patients and loved ones.

For more information on lawsuits related to complications associated with use of Byetta and Januvia please visit: http://www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com/practice/personal-injury/dangerous-drugs-medical-devices/byetta-januvia-pancreatic-cancerpancreatitis/

Sources:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforH ... 343805.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21334333?dopt=Abstract&holding=npg

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is full service personal injury and product liability law firm with an emphasis on drug recall and medical device litigation. For further information contact Jonathan Rosenfeld at (888) 424-5757 or visit the firm's website www.rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com