Home > Blog > More Evidence of Serious Side Effects with Byetta, Victoza, and other Diabetes Drugs

Diabetes Drug Attorneys

The watchdog group The Institute for Safe Medication Practices conducted the most thorough evaluation of the FDA’s adverse events reports for the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) class of diabetes drugs to date.  The results were published in the group’s QuarterWatch report.

The report found that there were starkly higher odds of these GLP-1 drugs to cause pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer than older diabetes drugs.  Pancreatitis, which is the inflammation of the pancreas, is linked to pancreatic cancer as well as kidney failure.  The pancreas releases hormones such as insulin and glucagon, and enzymes that help digest food.

GLP-1 drugs are a new class of diabetes treatments that mimic a hormone that stimulates insulin production.  There are many different drugs in this class, some injectable, and others in pill form.

Here were the noteworthy results:

  • The chances of developing pancreatitis with injectables such as Byetta and Victoza were 28.5 times higher than with the older diabetes medications
  • The chances of developing pancreatitis with the pills, such as Januvia, Onglyza, and Tradjena, were 20.8 times higher than with older diabetes medications
  • Overall, the risk was 25.6 times higher than with older diabetes drugs such as metformin and sulfonulyreas.

In addition, the injectable GLP-1 drugs were associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer, while the pills did not appear to be.  Victoza, one of the injectables, also was found to be associated with hypersensitivity eight times higher than that of the older medications.

This study has been the most thorough to date of the adverse events that are reported to the FDA.  It is not however the first indication that this class of diabetes medications might be more dangerous than first thought.  Studies and evidence showing the risks of the GLP-1 class of diabetes drugs have been mounting, and this is only the latest in the slew of such information.  Click here for other reports linking these drugs to serious side effects.

The Attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP Can Help

At Kirkendall Dwyer LLP, we have helped a number of individuals who have suffered pancreatic complications as a result of using Januvia, Victoza, and Byetta.  We understand how frightening it can be when a drug that was supposed to make you well has in fact made you sicker.  In some cases, the adverse reactions to these drugs have been life-threatening.

Despite mounting evidence, the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these drugs have continued to deny that they are associated with an increased risk of cancers.  They refuse to let the black and white numbers negatively affect their profits.  But that does not mean that you have no options.  Symptoms of pancreatitis include the following:

  • Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back, especially aggravated by eating high-fat foods
  • Swollen or tender abdomen
  • Nausea or vomitting
  • Fever
  • Increased heart rate

If you take one of these diabetes drugs and have experienced any of these symptoms, it is critical that you contact your doctor immediately.  Your doctor can determine if your diabetes treatment is causing these symptoms and needs to be changed.  Left untreated, pancreatitis can result in long-term damage to the pancreas, and can also lead to pancreatic cancer.

Follow these links to find out more about Victoza, Januvia, and Byetta.

The attorneys at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP want to help.  You do not have to suffer the consequences of these drugs alone.  You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering.  Litigation is in the early stages.  By contacting one of our attorneys today, you have the best chance of being fully compensated for your injuries.  Fill out a form to be contacted by an attorney for your free case review today.