The Type 2 Diabetes drugs Januvia (sitagliptin) and Byetta (exenatide) have recently been linked to increased instances of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, both of which can lead to the death of the patient. Pancreatitis is a potentially serious condition in which the pancreas, a gland that aids digestion through the release of enzymes and insulin, becomes inflamed. If it is not properly treated, pancreatitis can result in the death of pancreatic tissue and the release of toxins into the blood stream. Patients who were given Januvia or Byetta are roughly six times as likely to develop pancreatitis than patients who adhered to a different treatment for their diabetes. Januvia and Byetta patients are also almost three times as likely to develop pancreatic cancer, a particularly fast-acting and dangerous form of cancer.
Evidence of the association between Januvia, Byetta, and pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer has existed for several years and an important study on the topic concluded in July 2011. Still, pharmaceutical giants Merck (manufacturer of Januvia) and Amlyn (manufacturer of Byetta) have been reluctant to inform the public about the increased risk of these devastating conditions. The market for diabetes drugs is about $40 billion annually in the United States alone, and sadly, it seems that the drug companies’ desire for massive profits has taken precedence over their duty to protect the public by disseminating accurate risk information.
If you or a loved one has taken Januvia or Byetta and has developed pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, please
contact us today for a free and confidential consultation with one of our experienced pharmaceutical litigation attorneys.