In February, the American Medical Association advised diabetes drugs like Januvia can double the risk of pancreatitis, a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 16, 2013
The diabetes drug safety center at DrugNews.net is advising patients taking the medications Januvia or Janumet of new information on the site. After a recent hearing on the number of patients alleging cancer related to the drugs, a federal panel is deciding whether to consolidate cases to a special multidistrict court*.
The DrugNews resource center provides the latest warnings, recalls, studies and legal news to patients taking popular prescription drugs. Visitors can see if others are experiencing similar side effects and decide if they need legal advice.
Januvia and Janumet are ingestible diabetes medications prescribed to those with type-2 diabetes to lower blood sugar levels. In recent years, they have been the best-selling drugs for pharmaceutical company Merck**.
However, the resource center has added information showing experts disagree about whether Januvia and Janumet may be linked to cancer. In 2011, researchers from UCLA discovered subjects given Januvia had increased rates of thyroid and pancreatic cancer***.
In February, the American Medical Association advised diabetes drugs like Januvia can double the risk of pancreatitis, a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer****. Last month, however, the FDA advised there is insufficient evidence at present to link diabetes drugs like Januvia to cancer or change warning labels*****.
Due to the number of patients expected to file a Januvia lawsuit alleging cancer, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation held a hearing on July 25th to consider consolidation of cases to a special court*. (In Re: Incretins Products Liability, Sales and Marketing Litigation, MDL 2452, United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation). DrugNews spoke with a clerk from the JPML this week and was informed that a decision on the MDL is forthcoming.
Anyone affected by cancer after taking Januvia or Janumet is encouraged to visit the DrugNews Center or speak with a lawyer about their legal options. However, due to the specialized nature of drug injury cases, DrugNews only recommends lawyers who have already handled Januvia lawsuits.
For more information on the research, side effects and litigation news related to Januvia and other drugs, or to speak with a lawyer, visit http://www.DrugNews.net.
*JPML, 6/12/13; jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Hearing_Order-7-25-13.pdf
**Bloomberg, 2/25/13; bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-25/merck-bristol-diabetes-drugs-linked-to-pancreatitis-risk.html
***Gastroenterology, July 2011; ctsi.ucla.edu/education/files/publicview/training/docs/FDA-analysis.pdf
****JAMA Internal Medicine, 2/25/13; archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1656537
*****Pharmalive 7/30/13; pharmalive.com/fda-decides-no-risk-of-pancreatic-cancer-with-diabetes-drugs