Januvia Pancreatitis Side Effects
Users of the diabetes drugs Januvia or Janumet should be aware that the medications have been associated with a number of cases of pancreatitis, which may be caused by side effects of Januvia. The FDA issued an alert today to notify doctors and consumers about revisions to the warning label regarding post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis, including severe forms, hemorrhagic pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis.
>>FDA LINK: Januvia Pancreatitis Warning
Between October 2006 and February 2009, the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System has identified at least 88 cases of acute pancreatitis associated with the use of Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet, which combines Januvia with metformin. The actual number of Januvia pancreatitis cases is likely substantially higher, as reported events usually only account for between 1% and 10% of all occurrences.
Some concerning information provided by the FDA about the Januvia pancreatitis side effects include:
- 66% of the cases resulted in hospitalization for pancreatitis
- 4 cases required treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU)
- 2 cases involved severe cases of hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, which can be fatal in many cases
- 21% of the cases had pancreatitis develop within 30 days of starting Januvia or Janumet
- 53% of the cases resolved once the medication was stopped
- 49% of the cases were not associated with other risk factors for developing pancreatitis
- The most common pancreatitis symptoms from Januvia were abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
According to the information provided to healthcare professions about the Januvia pancreatitis warning, the FDA concluded:
Based on the temporal relationship of initiating sitagliptin (Januvia) or sitagliptin/metformin (Janumet) and development of acute pancreatitis in reviewed cases, FDA believes there may be an association between these events. Because acute pancreatitis is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, and early recognition is important in reducing adverse health outcomes, FDA is recommending revisions to the prescribing information to alert healthcare professionals to this potentially serious adverse drug event.
JANUVIA PANCREATITIS LAWSUITS
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are closely examining the information provided by the FDA and evaluating whether users of these diabetes drugs who have experienced a severe injury may be entitled to compensation through a Januvia lawsuit as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately warn about this serious and potentially life-threatening side effects.
The FDA has not indicated that any users of Januvia or Janumet should stop taking their medication, and no medication (especially a diabetes drug) should be discontinued without the supervision of a physician. Any concerns about the potential for Januvia pancreatitis side effects should be reviewed with a doctor.
Symptoms of pancreatitis could include:
- Severe upper abdominal pain which may radiate through the back
- Nausea and Vomiting
- High or Low Blood Pressure
- Elevated Heart or Respiratory Rates
If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with pancreatitis and wish to provide information about your potential claim to be reviewed by our Januvia lawyers as part of our evaluation of this litigation, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
I began taking Januvia about 3.5 weeks ago in addition to Metformin and Glipizide. I began throwing up on November 15th and went to the doctor on Nov 16, who gave me a bag of fluids. Still being sick on Nov 17th, I was sent by my MD to have an abdominal CT and subsequentyly sent thru the ER and admitted to the hospital for Pancreatitis. I was taken off the Januvia, and released from the hospital on Nov 19th.
my father in law was taking januvia and is now on life support and had severe pancratitis we still dont know if he is even going to live and it all started a week ago
my husband has been taking januvia for a whilenow and he has been c/o of stomach pain and feeling sick all the time . and now is having trouble going to the restroom , could this be a sign of this pancratitis going on with him.
I was diagnosed with diabetes last year. My doctor prescribed Janumet. I took it for several months. My insurance carrier would not cover Janumet and so I started to use Metformin. About 3 months ago, I was diagnosed with nonresectible pancreatic cancer. I am now on chemotherapy. My life has changed and my survivability is now at less than 6 months
Have been taken Janumet for about two years. The first few weeks I vomit everyday, unitl my doctor decrease the amount of mg. Thanks for this information will have my pancreatic check out.
My wife has been on januvia for about a year and a half. Her blood sugar is still running high. Averages about 145-165. She gets upset stomachs, nausea. She had pancreatitis about 6 years ago and was in ICU forn about a month. She had previously taken metformin and actos but this made her legs swell. Thats why the doctorn put her on Januvia.
I was on Januvia. Had gastric bypass and did not need insulin. Was having RUQ pain. many hospitalizations. Needed an ERCP could not have one because of gastric bypass. Had to have gatrostomy tube put in old stomach to get to pancreas. Had a stent put in. and gastrostomy tube for 4 months in case needed to get there again. It was horrible!!
Been on Januvia 100mg for several years. Diabetic and hospitalized in May, 2010 for low blood sugar. Has chronic COPD, Hypertension and Gastroesophageal reflux and anemia and chronic kidney disease, stage IV and chronic lumbosacral disc disease. Wondering if use of Januvia may have contributed to multiple symptoms.
April 2010 my husband was switched from Metformin to Januvia for no other reason than the doctor thought it was better. Last week my husband was watching tv and saw a lawsuit ad about Januvia, after I did some investigating I advised him to immediately stop taking the drug and contact his doctor for a visit. He had been complaining about servere back pain since the change and yesterday began getting dizzy, light headed & nausia & vomitting. Long story short, he is currently in Critical Care with Pancreatitis, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, & his blood sugar is so high (over 600) that the meters cannot read it. This needs to stop.
I was diagnoise with diabetes about three years ago. I was put on avandimet but it made my legs swell. then my doctor put me on januvia, since then I have problems with my stomach,and my lower back hurts unbearable sometimes my legs are always swollen.I have heart palpitation, trouble sleeping leg pain and tendonitis. These people are suppose to make drugs that help us not make us worst off then what we aready are.
I’ve recently been diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. I’ve been on Januvia for about a week 100 MG tablets. I’ve only been taking the medication since August 26th 2010. I get headaches from taking this medication and ocassionally I have been nauseated by it. Tomorrow Aug 31 (tues) I am going into my Doctor’s office and asking about something else. I can’t stand the headaches from this nor the feeling like im going to throw up every time I take it. If this is how im going to react to this medication after a week of taking it then I’d hate to see any Long term affects
My father is a type 2 diabetice and was recently switched to Januvia. On Nov. 18 he was admitted to the hospital with severe back pain. When he was admitted they immediately took him and discovered that he had pancreatitis. After several days in the hospital, all sorts of exams, xrays, scans, blood work, etc… were done and the conclusion….Januvia. Januvia had caused my father to have an acute Pancreatitis. They thought he would be home after a few days. 3 weeks later he was released but sent home with a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) bag attached and clear liquid diet. He’s been home for 2 1/2 weeks now and still with an inflammed pancreas. The TPN bag was taken off a couple days ago. Still has a nurse that comes in once a week to check in on him. He’s due for another dr. appt on Jan. 12. We are hoping that the pancreas has gotten better and he’s praying to go back to work soon. Anyone taking Januvia – I advise you stop and talk to your dr. I would hate for anyone to have to go through the pain that my father went through.
my husband was taking januvia and he started feeling sick one night rushed him to hospital he had panceratitis and was hospitalized fro a month and a day and then every month after that and then blood transfusions and surgerys and then in oct till dec 17 in hospital. they need to recall this drug bad stuff
Was anyone diagnosed with Neuropathy shortly after being on Janumet? I was and also know someone else that also was! No real muscle pain until after being on this med for just a few weeks!
Also I see alot of people don’t understand Januvia and Metformin do two different things.
This medication was prescribed for me as recommended by a pharmacist, that was acting as a diabetic management specialist through my family doctors’ practice. Three weeks after being on the medication I awoke one morning with a blood sugar reading of 29. I was shaking almost to the point of convulsions. I had severe adominal pain. I managed to call my brother to come help me. He called the emergency squad by the time I reached the emergency room I was vomiting violently. I remained in the emergency room for eight hours and was admitted to the hospital. I remained there for 7
days. I had a tube down my nose for 6 of the 7 days which emitted dark green bile. I was on pain medication for at least 5 of the 7 days.
Are there any good reports out there?
Been sick for 30 days, 6-30-11 ran test for gallbladder, test ok, 7-1-11 test liver, fatty liver for 5 years, stopped januvia today after reading this, 7-2-11 Will go back to actos and talk to doc. Thinking januvia might be my trouble. Have been taking it for 4 months, surger control has been great. Stopped actos because of weight gain. Wish Bush did not stop stem cell research for 8 years he was pres, why should one man have that much power? There could have been a cure for this all ready.
i have been taking januvia for about a year i am having pain around mm ribbs that is going across from right to the bottom of left ribb have been to dr to time with all kinds of test. severe stiffness in joints. fatigued but the dr can not treat my symptons or tell me whats the cause d going this weak for nother test to see if i have caribal tunnel i no i don’t i think it sthe medication t
I have been on Januvia for years,and last Friday I was in the Emergency room for severe pain in the upper abdomen.It was discovered that I have gallstones,and an ultrasound also discovered a mass next to my right kidney.I am going in for a c t scan on Monday.I
will not take Januvia ever again until I find out what is going on in my body.I have had severe back problems as well.
Ive been having abdominal pain after taking Januvia and I’m worried but thanks to you guys I’m gonna stop taking this medicine and call my doctor.