Janumet Pancreatitis Information

Janumet (sitagliptin / metformin) has been linked to acute pancreatitis. Janumet pancreatitis is a sudden, severe inflammation in the pancreas that may cause complications like hemorrhagic and/or necrotizing pancreatitis.

Do I Have a Texas Janumet Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by Janumet pancreatitis, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Janumet lawsuit in Texas.

What is Janumet?

Janumet is an anti-diabetes drug that has been sold by Merck & Co. since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007. It is the first and only tablet that combines the following two diabetes medications:

• Sitagliptin: Sold under the brand-name Januvia. It causes the pancreas to produces more insulin, which lowers blood-sugar levels.
• Metformin: This diabetes drug reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver and makes cells more sensitive to insulin.

How does Janumet influence the Pancreas?

The link between Janumet and pancreatitis is due to the drug’s influence on the pancreas. The pancreas is a 6-inch, pear-shaped digestive gland located behind the stomach that is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin and glucagon, which help the body absorb sugars from food.

Janumet inhibits an enzyme called DPP-4 (dipeptidyl-peptidase-4), which breaks down a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptidase-1). Without DPP-4, more of the GLP-1 hormone sticks around in the body. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, which tells cells to absorb blood-sugar, and lowers total blood-sugar levels in the body.

Janumet and Pancreatitis

• What are the symptoms of Janumet pancreatitis?
• Does Janumet cause pancreatitis?
• What are the complications of Janumet pancreatitis?
• How is Janumet pancreatitis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for acute pancreatitis?

Unfortunately, Janumet has been linked to acute pancreatitis, which is a sudden inflammation in the pancreas that occurs within days. It is unknown what causes pancreatitis, and there are many risk factors for the disease. Janumet pancreatitis may be caused when digestive enzymes in the pancreas activate and begin auto-digesting pancreatic tissue.

The most severe and life-threatening types of Janumet pancreatitis are:

• Hemorrhagic pancreatitis: Bleeding in the pancreas
• Necrotizing pancreatitis: Death (necrosis) of pancreatic tissue

Studies of Janumet Pancreatitis

It is unknown whether Janumet causes pancreatitis. Researchers are still investigating the potential risk of Janumet pancreatitis. However, in February 2013, JAMA Internal Medicine published a study that linked sitagliptin to a doubled risk of acute pancreatitis.

Another study of Janumet pancreatitis was published in 2011 in Gastroenterology by researchers from UCLA. After analyzing the FDA database of adverse event reports, they found sitagliptin was associated with a 6-fold increased risk of pancreatitis.

FDA Warning for Janumet Pancreatitis

In December 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published this warning for Janumet pancreatitis:

“There have been postmarketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, in patients taking Janumet. It is unknown whether patients with a history of pancreatitis are at increased risk for the development of pancreatitis while using Janumet.”

Symptoms of Janumet Pancreatitis

The symptoms of Janumet pancreatitis include:

• Abdominal pain, which may:
  • Be severe and persistent
  • Get worse after eating or while laying down
  • Radiate to the back (back pain)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea, indigestion
• Fever
• Decreased appetite, not eating (anorexia)
• Increased heart-rate
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Abdominal tenderness
• And more

Do I have a Janumet Lawsuit in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Texas Janumet lawsuit review.