Merck and Co., the manufacturers of popular diabetes drug Januvia (sitagliptin), are very happy with sales this year. Their sales of the drug were $2.7 billion last year and they only expect that number to go up.
The reason for the rise in sales is the rising demand of type II diabetes treatments amongst an ever-growing (and widening) population in North America. Diabetes is truly becoming an epidemic and it seems that people are more apt to seek treatment in a pill rather than make a drastic diet and lifestyle change.
Many blame the epidemic on the rise in fatty and cheap fast food, entertainment that requires hours of being relatively dormant, and a rise in jobs that require more mental activity than physical. Regardless of the social causes, Merck has a whole “diabetes and diet division’ to accommodate the needs of those who’s bodies can no longer naturally control the gluten levels in their blood.
These levels are controlled by insulin produced in the pancreas. Type I diabetics are unable to produce insulin at all and must inject it into their bodies for the rest of their lives. Type II diabetics, through diet and exercise, can gain back the control over their gluten levels, but need medication to help them while they do it.
And one of these drugs that they take is Januvia.
What does Januvia do? When you eat, gastrointestinal hormones are released to promote insulin production that regulates the sugar (glucose) released into the body for energy from the food. Then your body releases an enzyme to supress the hormones so that the levels can balance. Since diabetes is a lack of insulin, Januvia inhibits the enzyme that suppresses the hormones, and thus promotes the production of insulin in the pancreas.
The problem is, studies have found that Januvia also causes a disease called Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
Januvia and Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis
What is Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis? It is when the pancreas becomes enflamed, otherwise known as pancreatitis, but expands to the point that it beings to tear on the surface and ulcerate. These then begin to cause internal bleeding.
What are the effects of Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis? If left the pancreas begins to suffer the effects of necrosis, which is the death of cells on the surface and within the tissue of the pancreas, much like the effects of gangrene. Generally, this requires surgery to remedy. If surgery is not performed or done too late the patient will die within 7 to 10 days of contracting the disease.
How does Januvia cause Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis? By inhibiting the enzyme (dipeptidyl peptidase-4 [DPP-4]), the enzyme not only is unable to function as a suppressor of the hormone that promotes insulin production, but it also inhibits other functions of the enzyme, which staves off the onset of pancreatitis, the beginning stage of Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis.
What are some other causes of Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis?
- Pancreatitis
- Gall Stones
- Bleeding disorders
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Choledocholithiasis
- Trauma
- Steroids
- Pregnancy
- Fatty necrosis
- Pancreatic cancer
What are some symptoms of Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis?
- Nausea
- Abdominal tenderness
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Constipation
- Weak pulse rate
Defective Drug Lawyers of WA Help Victims of Januvia
Januvia was only approved in 2007, so the data has been slow in coming regarding the causal link between Januvia and Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis. Merck is playing a familiar game in the media to stave off both the scrutiny of the drug. As one independent study shows the connection of Januvia and pancreatitis, Merck pays for a study showing the opposite. In the middle is the patient who not only is struggling against diabetes, but then may find themselves fighting for their lives against pancreatitis.
The giant pharmaceutical companies have unlimited resources and a team of legal professionals to make sure that patients who are injured or killed do not receive compensation. That’s why patients affected by Januvia Side Effects need an experienced attorney on their side to represent their best interests.
Phillips Webster is a law firm that is experienced in Defective Drug Litigation who represents victims of the serious side effects of pharmaceuticals to assure that they get the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed by the Januvia side effects, call the Januvia side effects lawyers Phillips Webster for a free consultation.
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