New York Drug Injury Attorney
Viberzi (eluxadoline) is prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). It was approved in May 2015, and now the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that it should not be used by people who have had their gallbladder removed, due to an increased risk of pancreatitis. Less than two years after Viberzi hit the market, the FDA had received 120 reports of serious pancreatitis in patients who took the drug. Two cases were fatal. If you have suffered pancreatitis while taking Viberzi, our experienced New York drug injury attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
FDA Viberzi Warning
In March 2017, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication warning about the risk of serious pancreatitis in Viberzi users who do not have a gallbladder. The agency said that from the time that the drug was approved, in May 2015, through February 2017, 120 cases of serious pancreatitis were reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). 76 of the patients were hospitalized and two died. Only 68 said whether they still had their gallbladders, and of those 56 did not, including the two patients who died.
The FDA says that Viberzi should not be prescribed to patients who have had their gallbladders removed, and that doctors should consider a different treatment. It also warns that people who are already taking the drug, and do not have a gallbladder, should stop taking it right away.
Patients have developed pancreatitis symptoms after just one or two doses of Viberzi. Some patients developed spasms of the sphincter of Oddi. The sphincter of Oddi is a muscle that acts as a valve in the small intestine. It controls the flow of digestive juices into the intestines. If it does not relax those juices backup into the gallbladder and pancreas where they do damage.
If you have suffered pancreatitis while taking Viberzi you may be able to recover substantial compensation for your injuries. If someone you love has died as a result of taking Viberzi, you may be able to recover through a wrongful death lawsuit. You have a limited amount of time to take legal action or you will lose your right to compensation. Please do not wait until it is too late. Call the New York drug injury attorneys of Panzavecchia & Associates, PLLC at 888-LAW-2204 or email us today.