Victoza (generic: liraglutide) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to serve as a once-daily injection for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in some adults. Of significant concern, however, are the serious side effects that have recently been associated with clinically relevant Victoza exposure. Subsequently, Victoza treatment may place patients at an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, pancreatitis and kidney failure that may outweigh any documented clinical benefits. The development of these complications have led to an increase in potential Victoza lawsuits.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Vicotza, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Victoza Lawsuit Overview
Victoza is a product of Novo Nordisk. The FDA approved of Victoza, a once-daily injection to treat type 2 diabetes, on January 25, 2010. Furthermore, Victoza was indicated to assist in lowering blood sugar levels of those who are unable to do so on their own. Victoza injections are used in combination with a diet and exercise program to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood.
Liraglutide, the active ingredient found in Victoza, is in a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It works by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Therefore, increased insulin ratios assists in lowering high blood sugar levels onset by type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, many patients taking Victoza may be unaware that it does not demonstrate a positive risk/benefit profile. Of significant concern, however, are the serious side effects that have recently been associated with clinically relevant Victoza exposure. Victoza treatment may put patients at a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions and kidney failure that outweigh any documented clinical benefits. Due to the severity of these complications, patients may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential Victoza lawsuit.
Victoza Complications
Exposure guidelines suggested by the prescribing information on Victoza products may increase the risk of some patients developing the following complications:
- Thyroid cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Serious allergic reactions
- Kidney failure
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. This condition is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells. As they metastasize across the thyroid, these abnormal cells consume what is left of the healthy ones remaining. Eventually, if left untreated, cancerous cells will outnumber healthy ones, leading to the death of the thyroid. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. Without the thyroid to regulate these actions, life-threatening complications may occur.
Pancreatitis
Most often, pancreatitis occurs when pancreatic enzymes are activated within the pancreas and not the small intestine. Subsequently, Victoza treatment may also serve as a catalyst for the development of this condition. Normally, digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas do not become active until they reach the small intestine. However, inflammation caused by pancreatitis causes the enzymes inside to attack and damage the tissues that produce them. Pancreatitis can also be acute or necrotizing. Either form is serious and can lead to complications.
Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that occurs suddenly and usually resolves in a few days with treatment. While it can be a life-threatening illness with severe complications, early treatment has produced good results. Each year, about 210,000 people in the United States are admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis. However, if it should progress, it may become what is known as necrotizing pancreatitis. In very severe cases of necrotizing pancreatitis, the pancreatic tissue begins to die, and bleeding increases. The presence of this bleeding proves to be severe and problematic, resulting in severe, life-threatening complications. In severe cases, bleeding, infection, and permanent tissue damage may occur. If you have taken Victoza and are worried about pancreatitis, you should speak with an attorney about a possible Victoza lawsuit.
Kidney Failure
Renal failure or kidney failure (formerly called renal insufficiency) describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood. The two forms are acute (acute kidney injury) and chronic (chronic kidney disease).
Acute kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing electrolytes. Acute kidney failure is potentially life-threatening and may require intensive treatment. However, the kidneys usually start working again within several weeks to months after the underlying cause has been treated.
In some cases, chronic renal failure may develop. Death is most common when kidney failure is caused by surgery, trauma, or severe infection in someone with heart disease, lung disease, or recent stoke. Old age, infection, loss of blood from the intestinal tract, and progression of kidney failure also increase the risk of death.
FDA Safety Communication
According to an FDA Safety communication, liraglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether Victoza causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as human relevance could not be ruled out by clinical or nonclinical studies. Additionally, in clinical trials studying Victoza, there were more cases of pancreatitis in patients treated with Victoza than in patients treated with comparators. Furthermore, these complications have caused patients to file their own Victoza lawsuit in hopes of finding compensation for their pain and suffering.
Public Citizen Requests Victoza Recall
According to a petition filed with the FDA, Public Citizen has officially requested the removal of Victoza from the market because it puts patients at higher risk of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions and kidney failure that outweigh any documented clinical benefits.
In her statement against the approval, the clinical safety reviewer, Dr. Karen Mahoney, said, “The clinical safety reviewer does not recommend approval of liraglutide at this time … In the United States, there are already 11 classes of drugs approved for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes … The need for new therapies for type 2 diabetes is not so urgent that one must tolerate a significant degree of uncertainty regarding serious risk concerns.”
Do I Have a Victoza Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Victoza lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Victoza, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.