Diabetes Drugs Pose Pancreatitis Risk for Patients

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported on a study concerning the diabetes drugs Januvia and Byetta in its publication earlier this year. The results of the study revealed that these medications may double the risk for pancreatitis in patients who take them. Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed and it requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of the condition include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and more. Pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic cancer.

The study was conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University who used information from medical insurance records. Their findings showed that people who had been hospitalized with pancreatitis were twice as likely to have been taking Januvia or Byetta as compared to diabetics who did not take these drugs. Because of reports of pancreatitis associated with Byetta, the FDA added a warning to its label in 2007. Additional pancreatitis deaths associated with Byetta continued in 2008 which resulted in a stronger label warning by the FDA. In 2009, the FDA also associated pancreatitis as a risk factor for those taking Januvia. Both drugs are provided by the pharmaceutical giant Merck in a partnership with other drug companies.

Seattle Personal Injury Attorney

Prescription medicines which lead to the injury or death of patients may become the cause of injury or wrongful death claims. In such cases, the injured have often been subjected to additional medical expenses, loss of income or wages, and the pain, trauma, and suffering associated with a worsened health condition. For the families of patients who die as a result of taking prescription medicines, the loss of a loved one is an emotional trauma that may have a severe impact on their financial condition.

The personal injury law firm of Ward Smith, PLLC fights for the rights of injury and wrongful death victims in and around the Seattle area. The legal team at the firm has more than 50 years of combined experience in this field of law. Its attorneys are fully equipped to pursue your claim through a settlement or through civil litigation in the courts. They work on a contingency fee basis which means that you pay nothing until your case reaches a satisfactory resolution. Whether you have been harmed through negligence in a car accident, boating accident, slip and fall, medical malpractice, or any other scenario, contact the firm for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.