Dangerous Diabetes Drugs

GLP-1 Drugs Fail to Show Cardiovascular Benefits

A large clinical study that incretin mimetic drugmakers hoped would increase their sales has failed.  Incretin mimetics, also called GLP-1 therapy, is a type of diabetes treatment.  The subject of this particular study was Onglyza, manufactured by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The study tested whether Onglyza reduced heart attacks and other cardiovascular events, but it did not.  If it had, such results could have provided a real boost to sales, which have been flagging.

This class of drugs is already receiving scrutiny for connections with pancreatitis, and most recently, pancreatic cancer.  Drug makers were hoping that a study like this would revitalize growth of GLP-1 therapy.

A similar study is planned for Januvia, another incretin mimetic.

Despite the fact that drug makers are desperate to find any proof that might increase their sales, the FDA’s focus is now on ensuring the drugs are safe for their current indications.  The FDA has long term studies planned to investigate links to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Have you taken Januvia, Onglyza, Byetta, Victoza, or any other incretin mimetic diabetes treatment?  If you have, and you have suffered serious side effects such as pancreatitis, contact an attorney at Kirkendall Dwyer LLP.  Our attorneys want to help you get the compensation you deserve.