Viberzi Lawsuit Lawyers

IBS Drug Side Effects May Include Pancreatitis

A drug indicated for irritable bowel syndrome can cause dangerous side effects, including the development of pancreatitis. Patients without gallbladders are particularly susceptible to developing pancreatitis while taking Viberzi, which can lead to patient deaths.

Attorneys Securing Compensation for Viberzi Victims

Parker Waichman LLP is pursuing legal action on behalf of patients injured by Viberzi, and we are currently taking new potential cases. We understand how profoundly your injuries have affected you, and our attorneys can help you secure needed compensation from the manufacturer. You have legal rights, and you deserve justice.

If you took the prescription drug Viberzi for IBS and developed pancreatitis or another serious complication, contact our offices today. We provide free case consultations and will quickly review your legal claims to determine the best way to move forward.

Viberzi and IBS-D

Viberzi is a mu-opioid receptor agonist used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults. The drug is also known by the generic name eluxadoline and is manufactured by Allergan.

Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder that causes contractions or spasms of the large intestine and colon. Patients with IBS experience abdominal pain and cramping, stomach upset, bloating, and gas. Some IBS patients experience constipation, and patients with IBS-D suffer from chronic diarrhea.

Viberzi is designed to activate opioid receptors in the digestive tract to prevent the contractions that cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with IBS-D. As you might know, prescription opioid medications can sometimes cause constipation because they slow the digestive system. By mimicking the effects of opioids in the gut, Viberzi slows the movement of food through the digestive tract and reduces nerve sensitivity inside the intestines.

Viberzi Linked to Dangerous Medical Complications

Though Allergan markets Viberzi as a safe and effective treatment of IBS-D, the drug presents severe risks to patients. When taking Viberzi, patients can develop severe complications, including:

• Pancreatitis
• Digestive muscle (sphincter of Oddi) spasms
• Severe allergic reactions
• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drug dependence
• Death

Patients who have had their gallbladders removed are at an increased risk of experiencing inflammation of the pancreas and spasms or dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (a muscle in the intestines that controls the movement of digestive juices). The two complications can be linked. When the sphincter of Oddi is not functioning properly, digestive juices can back up into the pancreas, causing inflammation that leads to pancreatitis.

Because the gallbladder aids in digestion by storing bile from the liver, patients without gallbladders are more susceptible to the digestive side effects and organ complications associated with Viberzi. Without prompt and appropriate treatment, these side effects can lead to serious, life-threatening injuries.

Symptoms and Complications of Pancreatitis

The pancreas is a long gland in the upper abdomen behind the stomach. Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, usually because of irritation from digestive enzymes. The condition can be acute or chronic. Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Upper abdominal pain and tenderness
• Abdominal pain radiating to the back
• Abdominal or stomach pain after eating
• Rapid pulse or heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Foul-smelling stool
• Oily stool

Pancreatitis can sometimes be effectively treated with medication, fluids, and fasting. However, the condition can also require extensive treatment, including surgery, and can lead to extreme complications, such as:

• Fluid and debris buildup in the pancreas (called pseudocysts)
• Infections
• Malnutrition
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Breathing impairment
• Pancreatic cancer
• Patient death

Pancreatitis is a serious condition that affects both patients and their families. When patients develop this condition because of a defective drug like Viberzi, they deserve fair compensation from the manufacturer. Parker Waichman can help you achieve the compensation you and your family need by standing up to the drug manufacturer in court. Contact Parker Waichman LLP today to find out how we can help you secure meaningful results through legal action.

FDA Warning Regarding Viberzi

In March 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a safety communication indicating that it had received 120 reports since May 2015 regarding pancreatitis or death associated with Viberzi. Sixty-eight of these reports included information about patients’ gallbladders, and of these 68 reports, 56 patients indicated they did not have their gallbladders. The FDA identified 76 reports of hospitalization and two patient deaths associated with Viberzi. Many of these reports also listed sphincter of Oddi spasm as an additional complication from the drug.

In an alarming recognition, the FDA said patients without gallbladders could experience symptoms of pancreatitis after only one or two doses of Viberzi. At this time, the FDA has advised healthcare providers to NOT prescribe Viberzi to patients who have had their gallbladders removed and has instructed patients who develop signs of pancreatitis to discontinue Viberzi and seek immediate emergency care.

Ordinarily, the FDA is cautious in its recommendations, frequently encouraging patient-doctor discussions, rather than outright actions. It is rare for the FDA to take the steps of recommending against prescribing medication and advising patients to stop taking their medications immediately upon symptom development. The FDA’s recommendations regarding Viberzi, therefore, tell you how serious these risks and potential injuries are for patients.

If you took Viberzi and developed pancreatitis, sphincter of Oddi spasm, or another complication, contact Parker Waichman today. We will help you understand the options you have for legal recourse against the manufacturer.

Can I File a Viberzi Lawsuit?

When clients contact us about their drug product claims, they usually want to know right away whether they are eligible to file a lawsuit. At Parker Waichman, we always want to perform thorough case investigations and analyses to provide our clients with accurate information and well-considered recommendations for moving forward. Our investigation process will take a little time, but at the end of it, we will be able to tell you whether you have a viable Viberzi claim and whether you can file a lawsuit against Allergan.

You can start your case investigation by calling our offices today. We provide national representation in product liability cases, so you do not have to live by one of our offices to benefit from our legal services. We offer convenient over-the-phone consultations to accommodate your location and your busy schedule. Call or email our Viberzi law firm today to schedule your case consultation with a skilled Parker Waichman LLP lawyer.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP

Parker Waichman LLP provides case consultation at no cost to potential clients, and we contract cases with no retainers. You do not ever have to worry about putting your own money down on your claim or receiving a large legal bill from us in the mail.

We work to eliminate the emotional and financial barriers to justice by delivering superior individualized representation to our clients on a contingency-fee basis. With contingency fees, our firm will only be paid when you are paid. If you do not receive a settlement or award in your case, we will not receive attorney fees or case expenses for working on your claims.

If the drug Viberzi injured you, schedule your no-cost case consultation with an attorney with Parker Waichman LLP today by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or by filling out the Contact Form on our website.