Diabetes Drug LawsuitType 2 Diabetes Medications Can Cause Serious Injury or Death

Diabetes Drug Lawsuit

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 30 million Americans – 9.4% of the population – and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). There are nearly 1.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes every year. In 2012, healthcare costs totaled more than $245 billion. The statistics are staggering. Various medications and medical treatments are used to treat the disease, a number of which have been found to cause other illnesses and ailments, some of which can be severe and life-threatening. The list of potentially dangerous diabetes medications is continually growing; if you believe you have an injury or illness as a result of a Type 2 diabetes drugs, you may qualify for a diabetes drug lawsuit.

Provided below is a list of current diabetic medications which have been shown to pose dangerous and even life-threatening adverse effects to patients. There are currently lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of all of these diabetes drugs.

If you or a loved one has taken or is taking these medications and has suffered any of the injuries corresponding to the medications, contact TorHoerman Law right away to discuss further steps with an experienced diabetes drug lawyer.

Diabetes drug lawsuit injuries may include cardiovascular issues, pancreatic cancer, amputation, infection, including genital infections, and/or death.

To find more information on specific diabetes drugs, including details about current lawsuits, follow the links attached to the diabetes drugs below.

 

What is Diabetes?

There are 3 common types of diabetes:

1. Type-1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependent diabetes, is the genetic form of diabetes. Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its own pancreas with antibodies, restricting the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. The body is unable to produce enough insulin to properly regulate an individual’s blood-sugar levels. It is caused by a genetic predisposition, or as the result of faulty beta cells in the pancreas. Type-1 diabetes is the much less common form of diabetes and is not preventable. However, it is treatable with medications that maintain glucose levels.
2. Type-2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, is the non-genetic form of diabetes. It is much more common than type I diabetes, accounting for 95% of diabetes cases in adults. Unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetic patients are able to produce insulin. However, the body is unable to efficiently use the insulin that it produces in order to control the individual’s blood sugar level. Unlike type-1 diabetes, type-2 diabetes is completely preventable. Type-2 diabetes is most commonly a result of obesity and poor lifestyle habits. Obese people have insulin resistance, meaning the pancreas has to work much harder to produce insulin, although the amount produced still is not enough to control blood-sugar levels. There is no cure for type-2 diabetes. However, it is treatable.
3. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that is developed during a women’s pregnancy. It is a temporary form of diabetes, resulting from the body’s inability to produce proper insulin levels. Insulin resistance is can in pregnancy but is often not recognized until the later trimesters. Only 2% – 10% of pregnant women suffer from gestational diabetes. It is treatable and is addressed a quickly as possible to ensure both the health of mother and child.

 

How Can I Treat Diabetes?

There are a number of different medications used to treat diabetes. Diabetes drugs work to control the body’s glucose levels and blood sugar levels for both type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes.

The most common forms of diabetes drugs are:

1. Incretin Mimetics – This category of diabetes medications includes DDP-4 Inhibitors and GLPS-1’s, however DDP-4 Inhibitors are often categorized as their own separate entity.
2. SGLT-2 Inhibitors
3. Thiazolidinediones

You must talk to a doctor to determine which diabetes medication is appropriate for your treatment.

Unfortunately, these medications have all been linked to serious side effects and health risks. As a result, diabetes patients across the country have filed diabetes medication lawsuits against the manufacturers of these diabetes drugs. If you take any of the previously mentioned medications to treat your type-1 or type-2 diabetes and you have suffered an injury as a result, you may be eligible to participate in a diabetes drug lawsuit.

Along with medication, there are healthier and more natural ways to prevent and treat diabetes. Proper diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices are all great ways to prevent and treat diabetes, along with medication.

 

What are Common Diabetes Drugs?

As previously mentioned, there are four common types of drugs used to treat diabetes.

1. Incretin Mimetics
2. DPP-4 Inhibitors
3. SGLT-2 Inhibitors
4. Thiazolidinediones

 

Incretin Mimetics

Incretins, or incretin hormones, are produced naturally in the pancreas as a response to eating. Incretins jump-start the pancreas’ production of insulin to regulate blood-sugar levels.

Incretin mimetics work to mimic the effects of incretin hormones in the pancreas, which in turn increases the amount of insulin produced to control blood sugar.

Incretin mimetics can also work to limit the amount of glucagon – a form of incretin – that is produced in the pancreas. When produced, glucagon causes the liver to release excess stored glucose into an individual’s bloodstream, causing a spike in blood-sugar levels.

The most popular brands of incretin mimetics are:

• Byetta
• Bydureon
• Victoza
• Onglyza
• Kombiglyze XR
• Januvia
• Nesina
• Janumet
• Tradjenta

In 2013, the FDA released a drug safety communication after a number of studies found that incretin mimetic drugs could potentially increase the risk of pancreatitis in users. Further studies suggested that incretin memetics also could potentially increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in users.

At the time, no brand name incretin memetics carried warning labels making patients aware of these increased risks

As a result, a number of incretin mimetic lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals prescribed incretin memetics and who developed pancreatic or pancreatic cancer as a result. These cases were consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) filed in the Southern District of California.

 

DPP-4 Inhibitors

DPP-4 inhibitors, also called gliptins, are a type of Incretin Mimetic and act to block DPP-4, an enzyme that acts to deactivate incretins.

DPP-4 inhibitors stop DPP-4 enzymes from deactivating the incretins, therefore increasing the level of incretins, which in turn increases the production of insulin in the pancreas.

Similar to incretin mimetics, DPP-4 inhibitors also work to limit the amount of glucagon produced in the liver. DPP-4 inhibitors also slow down the digestive process and decrease the user’s overall appetite.

The most popular brands of DPP-4 inhibitors include:

• Januvia
• Janumet
• Onglyza
• Kombiglyze XR
• Nesina
• Kazano
• Oseni

A number of scientific studies have linked DPP-4 inhibitors to an increased risk of developing pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer.

In 2017, the FDA reported that DPP-4 inhibitors may be linked to renal failure as a result of rhabdomyolysis – a life-threatening medical condition characterized by the depletion of skeletal muscle.

No brand name DPP-4 inhibitors carried warning labels making patients aware of these increased risks.

As a result, a number of DPP-4 inhibitor lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals who were prescribed DPP-4 inhibitors and developed pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or renal failure as a result.

 

SGLT-2 Inhibitors

SGLT-2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors are medications intended to treat Type 2 diabetes and work to limit the resorption of glucose into the kidneys by inhibiting the SGLT2 proteins that aid the kidneys in the resorption process. SGLT-2 inhibitors cause the kidneys to pass that extra glucose through urine in order to maintain blood-sugar levels.

SGLT-2 inhibitors also work to increase the uptake of glucose by muscle cells and increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

The most popular brands of SGLT-2 inhibitors include:

• Farxiga
• Invokana
• Invokamet
• Jardiance

In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a drug safety warning for Invokana and Invokamet, warning users of a potentially increased risk of bone fractures. The FDA required these drugs to carry black-box warnings for these increased risks. These findings were supported by a number of scientific studies.

In 2015, the FDA released a drug safety warning for SGLT2 inhibitors, warning users of a potentially increased risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis – a disease that, if gone untreated, can be life-threatening. The FDA required these drugs to carry a black-box warning for these increased risks, as well the additional increased risk of developing urinary tract infections. These findings were supported by a number of scientific studies.

In 2016, the FDA released a drug safety warning for SGLT2 inhibitors, warning users of a potentially increased risk of suffering from kidney injury, after the agency received more than 100 adverse event reports linking SGLT2 inhibitors to kidney injury – some life-threatening, including kidney failure. A number of scientific studies have found similar links.

In 2017, the FDA issued a warning for Invokana and Invokamet, warning users of a potentially increased risk of leg and foot amputations. The FDA required these drugs to carry a black-box warning for these increased risks. These findings were supported by a number of scientific studies.

In 2019, scientific studies indicated a possible link between SGLT-2 inhibitors and a potentially increased risk of developing necrotizing fasciitis – genital gangrene, commonly referred to as Fournier’s Gangrene. No brand name SGLT-2 inhibitors carried warning labels making patients aware of these increased risks.

As a result, a number of SGLT-2 inhibitor lawsuit have been filed on behalf of individuals who were prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors and developed ketoacidosis, necrotizing fasciitis, or suffered from an amputation(s).

 

Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones are a category of treatment where the drugs increase cell responsiveness to insulin. The primary types of thiazolidinedione medication are pioglizatone (Actos), pioglizatone & metformin (Actoplus Met), and pioglitazone and glimepiride (Duetact).

The most popular brands of SGLT-2 inhibitors include:

• Actos
• Avandia
• Actoplus Met
• Duetact

In 2010, the FDA released a drug safety warning for Actos, warning users of a potentially increased risk of developing bladder cancer. This claim was supported by a 10-year scientific study of the medication.

Scientific studies and FDA warnings have also linked Actos to the following adverse effects and injuries:

• Bone fracture
• Congestive heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Macular edema

As a result, a number of thiazolidinedione lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals who were prescribed thiazolidinediones and developed bladder cancer, suffered from bone fracture, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, or macular edema.

 

How Can I File a Diabetes Drug Lawsuit?

The first step to filing a diabetes drug lawsuit is to discuss the potential claim with an experienced diabetes drug attorney to see if you qualify. At TorHoerman Law, we offer free no-obligation case evaluation services for all potential diabetes drug lawsuit cases. If you believe that you have been injured or developed an illness because of a diabetes drug, we would be happy to discuss your potential diabetes drug lawsuit, free of charge – your commitment is not required.

Contact us today to speak to a member of our diabetes drug lawsuit team and find out whether you qualify to participate in a diabetes drug lawsuit.

 

Do I Have a Diabetes Drug Lawsuit Case?

If you were prescribed any of the medications previously mentioned and you suffered a corresponding injury, you may have a diabetes drug lawsuit case. To confirm that your case is eligible, you should speak to an experienced diabetes drug lawyer right away.

Last Modified: November 13th, 2019 @ 11:58 am