Kazano Lawsuit | Get the Right Lawyer

Our attorneys are currently examining potential legal actions on behalf of individuals who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, heart failure, or rhabdomyolysis following the use of the type 2 diabetes medication Kazano (generic: alogliptin and metformin)

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by Kazano side effects, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and we can help.

Update: FDA Warns of Rhabdomyolysis Risk with Kazano

December 1, 2017 – The FDA has recently obtained data indicating that Kazano and other DPP-4 inhibitors may increase the risk for rhabdomyolysis [1], a severe muscular disease characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle. If after further evaluation the agency determines that these medicines are indeed associated with the risk, it may take a variety of actions, including requiring changes to the labeling of the drugs, requiring development of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS), or gathering additional data to better characterize the risk.

What is Kazano?

Manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Kazano is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults, and works by decreasing the amount of glucose the liver produces. Kazano is designed to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics. However, despite demonstrating considerable effectiveness in these capacities, Kazano is an incretin mimetic, and belongs to a class of drugs that have been linked to a number of serious side effects.

Kazano and Pancreatic Cancer

Mounting research and numerous case studies have indicated that type 2 diabetics taking incretin mimetic drugs like Kazano face an increased risk of being diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, or hemorrhagic pancreatitis, diseases that can lead to full-blown pancreatic cancer.

A 2011 study published in the medical journal Gastroenterology found a sixfold increase in pancreatitis – as well as a nearly threefold increase in pancreatic cancer – in patients taking incretin mimetics compared to patients taking drugs from other classes. The research backed up a 2009 study published in the journal Diabetes, which found an increase in pancreatitis in rats whose glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) levels were raised. Symptoms of Kazano pancreatic cancer may include:

• dark urine
• clay-colored stools
• fatigue
• weakness
• jaundice
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• nausea
• vomiting
• pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly or abdomen
• back pain
• blood clots
• diarrhea
• indigestion

Kazano and Bullous Pemphigoid

DPP-4 inhibitor diabetes drugs have been known to cause a rare skin disease known as bullous pemphigoid. The condition causes symptoms of blistering on the arms, legs, abdomen, and mucous membranes. Hives and itching are also common signs of the condition. In October 2016, FDA asked DPP-4 manufacturers to include a pemphigoid warning to their medication’s labeling. The warnings were added the following month, according to the FDA.

Thyroid Cancer

In addition to the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, the Gastroenterology study found a link between Byetta (an incretin mimetic in the same class as Kazano) and thyroid cancer. The research determined that the risk of the disease in individuals taking Byetta was significantly higher than those who used other types of medications.

And though the exact processes by which incretin mimetics cause thyroid cancer are still not clearly understood, a growing body within the scientific community asserts it is likely that exposure to the drugs causes changes to the thyroid gland, citing animal research which reinforces this idea. If true, this means that any incretin mimetic diabetes drug may have the potential to cause these dangerous changes to the thyroid gland. Signs and symptoms of Kazano thyroid cancer may include:

• lump in the front of the neck
• enlargement of the thyroid
• swelling in the neck
• pain in the front of the neck that may stretch to the ears
• change in voice or hoarseness
• breathing problems (the feeling that you are breathing through a straw)
• cough that does not go away and is not caused by a cold
• cough with blood
• swallowing problems

Incretin Mimetic Drugs

In addition to Kazano, other type 2 diabetes drugs in the incretin mimetic class include:

• Byetta (exenatide)
• Bydureon (exenatide)
• Janumet (metformin and sitagliptin)
• Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release) [2]
• Januvia (sitagliptin)
• Jentadueto (linagliptin and metformin)
• Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin and metformin)
• Nesina (alogliptin)
• Onglyza (saxagliptin)
• Oseni (alogliptin and pioglitazone)
• Tradjenta (linagliptin)
• Victoza (liraglutide)

Study Highlights Risks of Combining Kazano with Other Diabetes Drugs

June 23, 2016 – A new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) [3] has found that combining DPP-4 inhibitors like Kazano with “sulphonylureas” may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a potentially life-threatening condition.

Update: Kazano May Increase Heart Failure Risk, FDA Warns

April 5, 2016 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today updated its safety communication [4] for Type 2 diabetes medicines containing saxagliptin and alogliptin as they may increase the risk of heart failure, particularly in patients who already have heart or kidney disease. The move follows the completion of 2 large clinical trials conducted on patients with heart disease that were discussed at last year’s FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting.

DPP-4 Inhibitors Linked to Severe Joint Pain: FDA Warning

August 28, 2015 – FDA is warning [5] that Kazano and other DPP-4 inhibitors may cause severe and debilitating joint pain in some users. Symptoms began from one day to several years after taking the drugs, and most resolved in less than a month after discontinuing use. Click here to learn more.

BMJ Article Questions Why Pancreatitis Risks of Diabetes Drugs Underplayed in Media

June 12, 2013 – An article published this week in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) [6] has called into question why the risk of pancreatitis posed by incretin mimetic diabetes drugs like Kazano has been underplayed in the media. A number of recent independently-conducted studies have determined that users of these medications are twice as likely to be hospitalized for acute pancreatitis compared to individuals who take other diabetes drugs. Click here [7] to learn more.

Has There Been a Recall?

To date, neither Kazano nor any other diabetes drug from the incretin mimetic class has been recalled, despite many individuals calling for them to be withdrawn. They claim incretin mimetics pose too serious a public health risk to warrant their widespread availability. Unfortunately, the FDA has not responded to these concerns, and the drugs remain on the market.

FAQs

Can I file a lawsuit if I experienced severe side effects from taking Kazano?

Yes, if you experienced severe side effects or complications after taking Kazano, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. A lawyer with experience in pharmaceutical litigation can help you explore your legal options and seek compensation for your injuries.

What compensation might be available in a Kazano lawsuit?

Compensation in a Kazano lawsuit may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in cases of severe injury or death, compensation for long-term care or wrongful death. The amount of compensation will depend on the specifics of your case.

What should I do if I believe Kazano caused my health problems?

If you believe Kazano caused your health problems, seek medical attention immediately and document your symptoms and medication usage. You should also consult with a lawyer to discuss potential legal actions, including filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Can I sue for emotional distress if I suffered severe side effects from Kazano?

Yes, you can include a claim for emotional distress in a lawsuit if you suffered severe side effects from Kazano. Emotional distress compensation covers the psychological impact and suffering caused by the health issues related to the medication.

Do I Have a Kazano Lawsuit?

The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Kazano lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential settlements in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you got pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer or heart failure from Kazano, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and we can help.