Popular diabetes combination drug, Janumet, may lead to pancreatic cancer and other serious pancreas-related complications. Almost 1,200 people have filed lawsuits against drug manufacturer Merck & Co., Inc. because of the risk of pancreatic cancer with its Type 2 diabetes drugs Januvia and Janumet. If you or a family member received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis while taking Janumet, you may have grounds to file a claim for compensation. (We have a separate page for individuals diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after using Januvia.)
A Janumet pancreatic cancer lawsuit lawyer from Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. can evaluate your case and help you understand your options. If you took Janumet and suffered serious pancreatic complications including cancer, Merck & Co., Inc. may be liable for your damages.
Reach out to our legal team today by calling 800-550-0000. We can schedule a time to discuss your case free of charge. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront costs for you.
What Do I Need to Know about Janumet?
Janumet is a Type 2 diabetes drug that combines the new generation drug, Januvia (sitagliptin), with veteran medication, metformin. Merck & Co., Inc. manufactures and markets both Janumet and Januvia. The serious complications associated with Janumet stem from the Januvia included in the drug. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved these medications for use with Type 1 diabetes.
Many of the new generation drugs developed to treat Type 2 diabetes all work in the same way: by increasing insulin production in the pancreas and decreasing the sugar produced by the liver.
Januvia is one such drug. By pairing Januvia with metformin, which reduces the absorption of sugar in the body, Janumet combats high blood sugar in two ways. It is especially effective when used in conjunction with exercise and a healthy diet. Millions of Type 2 diabetes sufferers currently take this medication, and rely on it to help them control their blood sugar throughout the day.
However, the dangerous complications linked to Januvia carry over to Janumet, as well. This includes several serious concerns related to the pancreas, including pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose, and is often only spotted after it spreads to other areas of the body. If you take Janumet and experience abdominal pain, inflammation, nausea and vomiting, fever, and rapid heartbeat, report your symptoms to your doctor as soon as possible.
What Do Studies About Januvia Tell Us About the Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Risk?
So far, the FDA has not issued any warnings about Januvia or Janumet, despite more than 1,000 people filing lawsuits after developing pancreatic cancer while taking the drugs.
The FDA did take action in March 2013, announcing it would review reports from independent researchers regarding the potential link between Januvia and the development of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The FDA has said this review is ongoing.
Other researchers continue to look into a link between these medications and the increased risk of pancreatic cancer. One study published in Diabetes looked at a limited number of pancreases postmortem, and found those who took sitagliptin — the drug in both Januvia and Janumet — had a significantly increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer over those who never took the medication. The study recommends closer surveillance of patients while taking this medication, including regular checks for signs of pancreatic cancer.
What is the Current Status of the Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits?
The courts consolidated all pancreatic cancer lawsuits filed against Type 2 diabetes drug manufacturers into MDL No. 2452 in a California federal court. This includes not only Janumet and Januvia, but also Victoza and Byetta.
Judge Anthony J. Battaglia presided over this multidistrict litigation (MDL). In November 2015, Merck & Co., Inc. and the other drug companies involved received a summary judgement that effectively dismissed all cases in the MDL. However, this was not the end of the road for these plaintiffs. They filed an appeal in September 2016, and await the outcome from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In the meantime, we continue to accept new cases from those who believe their diabetes medications caused them to develop pancreatic cancer.
If you developed pancreatic cancer after taking Janumet, you may have a viable claim against the drug manufacturer. We can help you file your case, and represent you throughout the process. We also accept cases filed by family members whose loved one passed away from pancreatic cancer after taking Janumet or other related drugs.
How Can I Discuss My Case with a Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer?
If you believe you suffered serious complications while taking Janumet or another newer generation Type 2 diabetes drug and want to pursue compensation, contact us today. We can help you prove the following:
- The medication led to your pancreatic cancer; and
- You would have been unlikely to develop this cancer if you never took Janumet.
Once we do so, we can file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer on your behalf.
The legal team from Gacovino, Lake & Associates P.C. can help you tie your cancer diagnosis to your Janumet use and collect evidence to prove the liability of the manufacturer. We will fight for the compensation you deserve, including negotiating a settlement or taking your case in front of a judge.
Call our office today at 800-550-0000 to get started. We offer complimentary case evaluations.
