Just this March the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication which was meant to alert the public to a study which showed a correlation between Victoza, a drug for type-2 diabetes, to an increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic and thyroid cancers. Victoza is in a group of drugs known as incretin mimetics which mimic GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) which occurs naturally in the body. GLP-1 stimulates the pancreas, prompting it to release insulin into the bloodstream. Cells are subsequently triggered to absorb sugar from the bloodstream. Victoza is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The drug has also been found to slow the emptying of food from the stomach, resulting in weight loss for many of those taking Victoza. In fact, Novo has stated their goal of having Victoza approved for the treatment of obesity by 2014 despite the growing number of adverse reports from those taking the drug.

Victoza is a once-daily drug which is administered via injection pen. It is important to remember that Victoza is not insulin and some research has indicated that when Victoza is used in combination with insulin or metformin, there may be an increased risk of the patient developing hypoglycemia. Drugs which mimic GLP-1, like Victoza, may cause increased inflammation in the pancreas which can lead to acute pancreatitis. In turn, a history of pancreatitis can be a factor in the development of pancreatic cancer.

A study published in Diabetes in May, 2012, concluded that Victoza could be responsible for stimulating the production of pre-cancerous cells which then may lead to pancreatic cancer. Despite the fact that a consumer advocate group, Public Citizen, has called for removal of Victoza from the American market, the manufacturer expects no action from the FDA regarding Public Citizen’s allegations. Novo Nordisk brings in approximately $350 million dollars per quarter from sales of Victoza alone, and continues to maintain the drug has been properly tested and is safe.

Novo even boasted that Victoza would give the type-2 diabetic drug Byetta serious competition because Victoza is injected once per day rather than twice. At this time the FDA stated they will review data from prior studies in order to investigate the risk of pancreatic toxicity. The Public Citizen group notes that two FDA pharmacologists and an FDA clinical safety reviewer advised against granting FDA approval for Victoza.

While there has not yet been a Victoza recall or a Victoza lawsuit (on its own), many Victoza attorneys believe both of those are on the horizon. One lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of Byetta, Januvia and Victoza on behalf of Rosalie Duhon who took all three type-2 diabetic drugs. Duhon’s lawsuit was filed on March 20, 2013 and alleged failure to warn, designing defective drugs, breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, negligence and negligent misrepresentation. Duhon has stated publicly that had she known of the increased risk of pancreatic cancer from the drugs she would not have consented to take any of them.

Like Byetta and Januvia, it is likely that mass tort action and MDL’s as well as individual Victoza lawsuits will be filed against Novo Nordisk in the future. Those who have suffered significant harm from taking Victoza will want to seek compensation from Novo for their medical expenses as well as possibly for lost wages and pain and suffering. Of course the likelihood of winning a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk is not absolute and will depend on the facts of the case. The attorneys of Sullo & Sullo are both qualified and experienced and would be glad to hear the facts of your case.

Our attorneys will then do a comprehensive evaluation and determine whether you do, in fact, have a solid case against Novo. Obviously those who have been harmed the most will have a better claim, but it is in your best interests to speak with a Sullo & Sullo attorney to receive an experienced assessment. A Victoza lawyer from the firm of Sullo & Sullo will have compassion for the harm you have suffered and will ensure you receive zealous representation for the harm suffered from a drug you believed to be safe.

After all, if all members of the FDA were not completely sold on the safety of the drug, then it stands to reason that Novo had at least some indication that Victoza could potentially cause negative health effects in some patients. Our Sullo & Sullo attorneys have worked with product liability cases and understand the ins and outs of this type of case as well as the statute of limitations which exists for these cases. Call Sullo & Sullo today to speak to a knowledgeable attorney regarding your serious Victoza side effects and a possible Victoza lawsuit.