Update: Diabetes Drugs Linked to Rhabdomyolysis

December 1, 2017 – Tradjenta and other diabetes drugs in its class have been associated with a rare, life-threatening muscular disease called rhabdomyolysis, according to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Rhabdomyolysis occurs when the skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly, causing symptoms such as fever, nausea, confusion, malaise and dark-colored urine.

What is Tradjenta?

Tradjenta (generic: linagliptin) is an oral medication that helps control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The drug combines the mechanisms of action of a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. SGLT2 inhibitors remove excess glucose through the urine by blocking its reabsorption into the kidneys. DPP-4 inhibitors increase hormones that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and stimulate the liver to produce less glucose.

Incretin Mimetics & Cancer

Recent studies have identified a link between incretin mimetic diabetes medications like Tradjenta and pancreatic cancer. In 2011, researchers at UCLA found a 2.7-fold increase in pancreatic cancer cases in incretin mimetic users compared to patients who took other types of diabetes drugs.

The researchers also found an increase in the number of thyroid cancer cases among patients treated with some of these medications. Although the study’s authors were careful to point out that their results did not conclusively prove that incretin mimetics cause cancer, they did say the findings demonstrated a need for additional research and should “raise caution about potential long-term actions of these drugs to promote pancreatic cancer.”

Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The disease can be difficult to diagnose and treat because it rarely produces symptoms until its later stages. When they do present, however, symptoms may include:

  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
  • Itchy skin, palms, and soles of feet
  • Loss of appetite
  • Changes in taste
  • Abdominal pain
  • Enlarged gallbladder
  • Unexplained weight loss

Which Diabetes Drugs are Incretin Mimetics?

In addition to Tradjenta, other incretin mimetics include:

Tradjenta Side Effects

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA, diabetic acidosis, metabolic acidosis, ketoacidosis)
  • Heart attack
  • Kidney failure
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Yeast infections of the vagina or penis
  • Changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Joint pain
  • Increased fats in your blood (bad cholesterol or LDL)

DPP-4 Inhibitors Linked to Rare Skin Disorder

In October 2016,  the FDA asked manufacturers of DPP-4 inhibitor diabetes drugs to add a label change to their products regarding an increased risk of bullous pemphigoid, a rare skin disorder that causes symptoms of blistering on the arms, legs, abdomen, and mucous membranes. All patients who developed the disease had severe outcomes, including one person who died. As a result of these problems, FDA required a class-wide label change to reflect the risk of bullous pemphigoid with DPP-4 inhibitors.

Do I Have a Tradjenta Class Action Lawsuit?

The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Tradjenta lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently reviewing potential settlements in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Evaluation: Again, if you were injured by Tradjenta side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.

FREE Confidential Case Evaluation

To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 223-3784.

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