In March of 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication linking diabetes drugs known as Incretin Mimetics, which include the brands Januvia, Janumet, Byetta Onglyza and Victoza, to serious pancreatic diseases, including cancer.  These drugs work by imitating the incretin hormones the body normally produces to naturally cause the release of insulin after a meal. They can lower blood sugar levels for adults with type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the production of added insulin from these drugs can cause wear and tear on the pancreas that may lead to pancreatic cancer.

The FDA’s 2013 safety warning linked Incretins to an increased risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and pre-cancerous cellar changes in the pancreas.  The FDA based their warning on a scientific study published by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in February of 2013. Subsequent studies have confirmed and strengthened the association between the use of incretins and pancreatic cancer.  The American Diabetes Association, in its journal Diabetes Care, published a study in February of 2018 showing that long-term use of incretins is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The manufacturers of Incretins, however, have continuously failed to warn the users of their diabetes drugs about this increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Individuals who have developed pancreatic cancer after taking Incretin class drugs have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers.  These manufacturers include Merck, Amylin, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.  Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, these manufacturers continue to deny any connection between the use of their defective diabetes drugs and pancreatic cancer.  While pancreatic cancer survival rates are slowly increasing, the disease remains largely incurable and a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is usually a death sentence.  According to the American Cancer Society, for all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the one-year relative survival rate is 20%, and the five-year rate is only 4%.

Our experienced lawyers fight for individuals who have been harmed by defective products. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after taking a diabetes incretin drug such Januvia, Janumet, Byetta Onglyza or Victoza, the attorneys at the Yost Legal Group will investigate your potential claim and lawsuit. For a free consultation, please call us at 1-800-YOSTLAW.