Janumet and Januvia are in the incretin mimetic class of diabetes 2 drugs. Both medications are oral prescription pills used to help lower a diabetic patient’s glucose levels. The drugs are manufactured by the same company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., containing sitagliptin as the active ingredient. Januvia was approved by the FDA in 2006, and Janumet was approved in 2007.
In 2009, the FDA evaluated reports of patients developing pancreatitis after taking these drugs. There were 88 reports of acute pancreatitis and 2 reports of hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis. The FDA worked with the manufacturer of the active ingredient to change the prescribing information and recommended that healthcare professionals monitor patients for pancreatitis.
Four years later in March 2013, cases became worse when the FDA published a Drug Safety Communication for all incretin mimetic diabetes drugs, including Janumet and Januvia. The safety communication included study results revealing that the drugs could cause pancreatic cancer. The study results are still under review by the FDA, meaning patients are taking the drugs without being educated on the possibilities of developing pancreatic cancer.
Legal action is taking place against the makers of Janumet and Januvia for the serious side effects patients are suffering. If you or someone you love has experienced these serious side effects, contact one of our offices to see if you have case against the manufacturers. You may be entitled to financial compensation.