An article in the Jerusalem Post says the Israeli Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical division is cautioning doctors to be vigilant for cases of pancreatic infections and pancreatic cancer among people taking a class of diabetes drugs that includes Byetta and Januvia.
The story says the announcement followed similar warnings by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its European counterpart about the drugs.
A number of studies have linked both Byetta and Januvia to pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas) and pancreatic cancer. Byetta has also been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
According to the Jerusalem Post, both drugs are classified as “incretins.” Those are gastrointestinal hormones that increase the amount of insulin released from the islets of Langerhans – the parts of the pancreas that contain hormone-producing cells.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli doctors are being asked to report any such cases to the Health Ministry.
You should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns, and before making any changes in medication. You should also consult with a Lopez McHugh attorney if you or a loved one was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after taking Januvia or Byetta.
See the story here:
https://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=310879
